Abortion Clinic Bomb Suspect Spotted

Abortion clinic bombing suspect Eric Rudolph is believed to still be in western North Carolina's mountainous area, authorities said Tuesday.

The bomb task force that has been tracking the 31-year-old carpenter since the Jan. 29 bombing in Birmingham, Ala., converged on this area near the tip of western North Carolina with bloodhounds and extra manpower.

"The search has intensified significantly," said Woody Enderson, inspector in charge of the Southeast Bombing Task Force. "This is a pretty significant step forward because we now know for sure he is in this area and we can now focus on a much smaller area."

He said a Nantahala resident reported the theft of his truck and food and provided a description of Rudolph, the target of a manhunt since the Birmingham bombing, which killed an off-duty policeman and wounded a nurse. He also is wanted for questioning in the Olympics bombing two years ago.

CBS News Correspondent Jim Stewart reports that authorities released a new composite drawing showing a thinner Rudolph with a beard. Officials said Rudolph's hair was longer and worn in a ponytail. They said Rudolph is believed to be wearing camouflage fatigues, a camouflage jacket and gloves.

Officials asked for information from anyone who might have been at the Bob Allison Campground to come forward with any information they might have about Rudolph or the stolen pickup truck.

Enderson said the pickup truck was recovered at the campground.

Since he was named a suspect in the clinic bombing, Rudolph, an experienced outdoorsman, has evaded a nationwide search. A $1 million reward has been offered for information leading to his arrest.

Federal agents also want to question him about similar bombings in Atlanta, including the bombing at Centennial Olympic Park in July 1996 that killed one and injured more than 100. The other attacks in Atlanta were at an abortion clinic in January 1997 and at a gay nightclub in February 1997.

They have not formally named him as a suspect in those bombings but have noted similarities between the Atlanta and Birmingham cases.