ALBANY, N.Y. – Fugitive Ralph “Bucky” Phillips is now believed
to be driving a stolen van, according to the Albany-based New York
state police.

The van, a maroon Caravan with New York registration DFM-6538,
was stolen in Hancock between 1 and 6:45 a.m. Tuesday, police said.
A red, gold and silver oval sticker with the letters “AMA”
displayed on the rear hatch window.

State police think the van is being driven by Phillips, 43, who
is now wanted both for escaping from an Alden correctional facility
early in April, and for questioning in the “attempted murder” of a
New York state troop June 10, police said.

Phillips is believed to be armed with a handgun and a sawed off
shotgun. He is considered “extremely dangerous,” police said.

A $25,000 reward is being offered for information leading to
Phillips’ capture, reports indicate. He was also recently featured
on an episode of “America’s Most Wanted.”

Anyone with information on Phillips’ whereabouts is asked to
contact the Horseheads-based state police.

He is described as a Native American, 6-feet tall, 240 pounds
with black hair and brown eyes. Early descriptions of Phillips said
he wore his hair in a ponytail, but police think he may have cut it
short since his escape. At times he is shown with a beard and
mustache; as of late, police have been using a digitally altered
photograph of Phillips in which he appears clean shaven.