Ralph “Bucky” Phillips -ðthe 43-year old fugitive who escaped
from an Erie County (N.Y.) correctional facility in Alden, N.Y.
April 4 -ðwas still at large as of Monday night.

Chief Dennis Rankin at the Erie County Sheriff’s Office said
Monday afternoon that “to the best of (his) knowledge,” Phillips
was last seen in the Bradford area.

“He is armed,” Rankin said. “We do have verification that he is
carrying a handgun.”

Rankin said Phillips “spent an hour” talking to the owner of a
camp on Hungary Hollow Road Friday night, during which time he
asked for directions to Limestone, N.Y.

Rankin went on to say reports that Phillips was in the Bradford
area over the weekend “have been confirmed.” He said it was unclear
why Phillips chose the Limestone/Bradford area, saying he has no
known family or other connection to the area.

Reports indicate someone matching Phillips’ likeness was seen at
the Comfort Inn in Bradford over the weekend, but management
personnel there did not return a message seeking comment Monday
night.

Since his Bradford sighting over the weekend, however, Rankin
said, other reports have come in, putting Phillips back in New
York.

“As recently as this morning,” Rankin said Monday, there have
been reports that Phillips was spotted in Randolph N.Y.

Phillips was driving a stolen Suzuki motorcycle over the
weekend, but reports indicate he dumped the bike in Allegany, N.Y.,
and is now driving a green pick-up truck.

While it was unclear exactly what Phillips is wanted for -ðin
addition to escape, that is -ðthe Web site for the Erie County
Sheriff’s department lists Phillips among their “most wanted,” for
“parole violation.”

Residents are being warned that Phillips has been breaking into
homes in the areas he is traveling through. They are also warned he
is carrying a firearm and is considered dangerous. Anyone sighting
Phillips should contact law enforcement and do not him, police
said.

He was last seen wearing a camouflage jacket with the word “Bud”
on the front, black nylon pants, white sneakers and a camouflage
backpack. He is a Native American male, about 6-feet tall and
weighs 235 pounds. He has brown hair and probably about a three- to
four-day growth of facial hair, mustache and a long ponytail,
police said.