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RUSH TWP., SCHUYLKILL COUNTY — Police say fugitive Shawn Christy is back home — almost.
A red pickup truck Christy, 26, allegedly stole in Maryland was discovered in Rush Township, Schuylkill County, on Tuesday morning, according to authorities.
Rush Township is only about 6 miles south of McAdoo, which is Christy’s hometown.
“At approximately 7:30 Tuesday morning, members of the U.S. Marshals and FBI got a tip that a vehicle of interest allegedly stolen by Shawn Christy from Allegany County, Maryland, was located in Rush Township near Tamaqua by a residential business,” said Robert Clark, supervisor deputy with the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force.
He added: “We do not have a timetable as to how long the vehicle has been there.”
However, various media outlets reported Christy was spotted in Maryland on Sunday, meaning the truck could not have been in Schuylkill County for very long.
Marshals were not ready to disclose where Christy is believed to be heading, but Clark did say he’s considered armed and dangerous.
Several weeks ago, Christy allegedly broke into a relative’s home in Drums and took three handguns.
While authorities were still searching for him in southern Luzerne County, he’s believed to have stolen a school van from a bus company on Route 309, only a few miles from the relative’s house.
That van was recovered a few days later near Nitro, West Virginia, about 450 miles from Butler Township.
Pennsylvania State Trooper Anthony Petroski urged residents to be on the lookout for Christy.
“Christy has been very elusive,” Clark said about trying to capture him for the last two months. “It’s been a challenge for us and other agencies. But our resolve is going to be greater than his desperateness.”
Christy was last seen wearing blue jeans, a tan shirt and had a beard, according to Clark.
“Christy can operate in the woods and avoid human contact,” Clark said. “It’s been a challenge but we are not going anywhere until we get him.”
“We want residents to be vigilant,” Tpr. Petroski added. “Keep your vehicles locked and don’t leave your keys in the car either. Keep your homes locked, too.”
He continued: “There is a wanted fugitive in the area and he could be anywhere at this point because we are not aware of his location. If you see anything out of the ordinary like missing food, a stolen vehicle or license plate, please call 9-1-1. It could lead to Christy’s capture.”
Petroski reaffirmed the State Police’s commitment to helping the marshals and other federal agencies in Christy’s apprehension.
Christy is wanted on allegations he threatened Trump and others in Facebook posts in June, according to a federal grand jury indictment.
And it’s far from his first brush with law enforcement.
When he was just 18, former Alaska governor and ex-vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin got a protection-from-abuse order against him for a series of emails he allegedly sent her. Christy and his father then got arrested for allegedly harassing Palin’s lawyers in phone calls.
As a result of all that, Christy spent time in federal prison. Odd incidents have since followed, including a 2017 case where he’s accused of swinging a large stick at McAdoo’s mayor in an argument over snow removal.
After the school van taken from Drums was ditched in West Virginia, Christy is suspected of breaking into the Kentucky home of the brother of Palin’s former son-in-law, Dakota Meyer.
Meyer was previously married to Palin’s daughter, Bristol.
While asking for the public’s help, U.S. Marshal Clark had this message for Christy on Tuesday: “Turn yourself in. Go to the nearest police station and turn yourself in.”
The award for helping with Christy’s capture recently increased to $20,000.
Anyone with any information on his whereabouts is asked to call 1-877-WANTED-2 or 1-877-926-8332.