Manhunt On For Alleged Cop Shooter

Prison Escapee Suspected Of Shooting, Critically Wounding Two N.Y State Troopers

(CBS/AP)  Police are scouring western New York in the hunt for a fugitive prison escapee suspected of ambushing two state troopers.

Heavily-armed troopers called in from around the state searched vehicles at dozens of checkpoints in rural and heavily wooded Chautauqua County, backing up traffic as they inspected trunks and talked to drivers in a stepped-up effort to capture Ralph "Bucky" Phillips.

Phillips is the prime suspect in the attack on troopers Joseph Longobardo, 32, and Donald Baker Jr., 38, who were shot in woods behind the isolated hilltop home of Phillips' ex-girlfriend, Kasey Crowe.

The troopers were part of the hunt for Phillips launched after the shooting of another trooper June 10, state police said. Both of the latest victims were in critical condition Friday, authorities said.

"It's time for Bucky Phillips to go back to jail. Enough is enough," State Police Superintendent Wayne Bennett said early Friday.

The New York Times reported that the hunt for Phillips, who has served more than two decades in jail, had turned him into a cult figure among local residents.

Authorities said Phillips had threatened police after the Aug. 21 arrest of Crowe, their daughter and the daughter's boyfriend. Crowe was accused of giving Phillips fresh clothing and a place to stay in her home the day before her arrest.

"I don't call it revenge. I call it attempted murder," Bennett said of the threats and the latest shootings.

Phillips, 44, escaped from jail in April and has been traveling back and forth between Philadelphia and western New York, Bennett said.

Each trooper was shot once with what police believe is a high-powered rifle that may have been stolen along with 40 other weapons from a local gun shop over the weekend.

One trooper was shot in the back with a bullet that pierced his bullet-resistant vest and exited through his abdomen. The other officer was shot in the thigh and suffered massive blood loss from a severed artery, Bennett said. Both men, based out of Troop G north of Albany, underwent surgery.

"It's clear to me the troopers were ambushed," Bennett said.

Neither trooper saw Phillips before they were shot and neither returned fire. One radioed for help, Bennett said. Longobardo was taken to Erie County Medical Center and Baker was being treated at Hamot Medical Center in Erie, Pa.

Bennett, who flew from Albany to the state police barracks in Fredonia, ordered 75 additional troopers to help with the manhunt.

Phillips used a can opener to escape through the ceiling of the Erie County Jail on April 2, police said. He is wanted in the shooting of Trooper Sean Brown near Elmira, N.Y., on June 10. Brown survived after being shot in the abdomen as he approached a stolen car believed to be driven by Phillips.

Since his escape, Phillips has woven his way through western New York and neighboring Pennsylvania, evading police and helping himself to food, clothes and guns in unattended homes and hunting cabins while leaving a telltale trail of stolen vehicles along the way.

Phillips is believed to have stolen about 15 cars since his escape and he is suspected in numerous burglaries, police said.

A $50,000 reward offered for information leading to Phillips' arrest and conviction has so far not stopped friends and family members from helping Phillips avoid capture, police said.

[jeremywou812]

Great lets just blame Bush, and the NRA for all the crime and violence in the U.S. We should give up our right to bear arms because criminals can get a hold of guns. How fast we forget 9/11/01! We should just stay in our own country and never worry about the problems going on in other parts of the world. After all if we leave the terrorist alone they will leave us alone. We should believe everything we hear on the news because the stories they preach will not be motivated by there own polical views. Well I agree that penelties should be a lot harsher on violent criminals but the same people who complain about the numbers in prisons also want harsher penelties. You just cant have both. We let criminals out early or house them in worthless county jails, pay poor wages to the staff and wonder why inmates escape. The same felons we are letting go early are killing cops and other productive members of society. But I guess thats alright becaus our numbers are down in NYS prisons and that might help someone get elected. We in america cant make up our mind as to what we want but instead flip sides as soon as the going gets tuff. We keep giving criminals second chances because it is cheaper then we complain about the system when they eventually commit a more serious crime. Bottom line is its always easier to play the blame game but we the people are really the ones to blame! I pray that we get Phillips soon befor anyone else dies.

[silversally-2009]

i dont see why we put up with such as this and child abusers kill them all let god sort it out

[frankbowers]

This could have been prevented if gw bush the NRA and our great congress would just think and the congress of this great country would quit taking the grants (know as bribes most often from NRA to free up the give away of WMD you know what bush went looking for in Iraq) from NRA and do what the hell they were sent to do and that is protect the public and the police and fire personnel. Well I guess the 200,000 they draw each year is not enough to live in DC. ;=) Frank Bowers, Austin, TX The very best of good byes to all.

[chicabear1]

I have great sorrow for these policeman that were shot. I truly hope they survive. These victims suffer needlessly, as do many innocent victims of heinous crimes. Stop the violence in America!

[prouduscitiz]

I agree with Chicabear1. I am sick of giving these sicko criminals hope of getting out of their free motel's that we americans are paying for. I am also sick of everytime someone gets caught breaking the law the plead mental illness.
America don't need physchiatric help, they need God.

[chicabear1]

The laws are too lenient on convicted criminals. Cop killers and other vicious rapists and murderers (evil Manson Family) have it too easy. There are no adequate consequences for these harsh criminals in the United States today. IF they are proven guilty, after due process, these vicious criminals should be burned at the stake. They should be executed instead of draining innocent taxpayer dollars. They sit in their air-conditioned room, three-square FREE meals per day, exercise whenever they want and may even earn a degree or two. What a life!! Who pays?? The innocent taxpayers, thats who!!! How sick!!