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BUTLER TWP. — The McAdoo man who allegedly threatened to kill President Trump and any officer who attempts to detain him is now suspected of stealing a van in the same general area where authorities have been searching for him.
A man who resembles fugitive Shawn Christy was caught on surveillance video outside Rohrer Bus along Route 309 in Drums sometime late Sunday or Monday, according to authorities.
They believe the man stole a silver/gray 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan used to transport students.
The theft was not reported until about 9 a.m. Wednesday because the bus company has a lot of vehicles on its lot and did not realize one van was missing, according to Robert Clark, supervisor deputy with the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force.
“We’re asking for the public’s assistance in locating that vehicle. That’s our No. 1 priority right now,” said Clark, who has been in southern Luzerne County looking for Christy for at least the last week.
Adding to the drama is the fact Trump intends to visit the area Thursday to campaign for Congressman Lou Barletta in his bid for U.S. Senate. Marshals are keenly aware of that pending visit.
In the meantime, the hunt is on for the van. Its license plate reads: SV21749. It has a yellow-and-black decal on its front and rear that reads: “School Students.” In addition, “Rohrer” is written in red on the driver’s-side and passenger-side doors, and the number 0870 is on the right and left quarter panels. The same number also appears on the front of the van underneath a headlight. The van’s driver’s-side headlight is inoperable.
Authorities also noted the van’s decals cannot be easily removed.
Besides the new information about the van, Marshals were generally tight-lipped about the ongoing search for Christy. They would not directly confirm he was still in the area or divulge many other details about the investigation.
But they remained confident he would be captured.
“We will locate him. I can assure you that,” said U.S. Marshal Martin Pane.
Marshals reiterated they consider Christy armed and dangerous. He allegedly broke into a relative’s home on Klingers Road in Drums last week — a few miles from the van theft — and took three handguns.
Marshals also asked the public not to approach him if he’s spotted.
If someone does see him, they should call 911.
There is a total of $15,000 in reward money being offered for information that leads to Christy’s arrest.
To call in tips about his whereabouts: 1-877-WANTED-2 or 1-877-926-8332.
