The search for 34-year-old Michael C. Burham — the prime suspect in the death of a Jamestown woman — expanded throughout the day Friday and included local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.

“He was last seen wearing an orange/white-striped jumpsuit, a denim jacket and crocs,” a statement from City of Warren police said.

“He is considered very dangerous and the public is asked to be vigilant and report anything out of the ordinary.”

Burham also is charged with kidnapping a Sheffield couple while trying to escape pending homicide charges in Chautauqua County.

Michael Burham

“People need to be situationally aware of their surroundings,” Cecile Stelter, public information officer, told the Times Observer on Friday morning, “because we don’t know where he is or where he is going.”

Stelter encouraged people to lock their vehicles and outbuildings and to call 911 to report anything that looks unusual or suspicious.

“We do not want people engaging with this individual,” she said. There’s no stay-at-home order in place. “Use care when going out.”

Stelter detailed how Burham escaped from jail during a noon press conference: Burham had been in the recreation yard and “elevated himself atop exercise equipment” that granted him access to a metal, gated roof. He then used tied-together bed sheets to reach the ground.

While it was unclear whether inmates on the rec yard at this time of day is a routine element of jail operations,

A sheriff’s deputy is pictured Friday morning talking to a motorist on Route 62. Officers checked vehicles at the state line after Michael Burham escaped from the Warren County Jail.

Stelter said there was “nothing out of normal” when Burham made his attempt.

Stelter explained that Burham, housed in a unit with two-person cells, was restrained when moved between areas in the jail but not while on the yard.

“He was considered high-risk, a high-risk inmate,” she said.

“There are not guards in the rec yard,” Stelter told the Times Observer. “The prisoners have allotted and scheduled times that they can be in that recreation area to exercise. That’s mandated. Because there are so many prisoners — some can only be out there by themselves, others can be there with others, it actually runs 24 hours. It was perfectly normal.”

“There were several inmates in there,” she said. “He was being watched under video surveillance.”

Once the escape occurred, the search was underway in “minutes, literally minutes. (Officials) responded almost immediately.”

“It appears he is working by himself,” she added, explaining that there is “no evidence of assistance at this point in time” from other inmates or staff.

The Warren County Courthouse was closed Friday and the jail was locked down. The courthouse is serving as the command post for the search.

City of Warren police filed a felony charge of escape against Burham with District Judge Raymond Zydonik on Friday, as well.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed in that case, county dispatch was notified that an inmate escaped at 11:26 p.m. on Thursday.

Jail staff said another inmate advised them Burham had escaped.

“Upon reviewing camera footage, (Burham) was observed walking in and out of his jail cell, block b. Other inmates were also observed walking in and out of (Burham’s) jail cell,” according to the affidavit.

The affidavit indicates Burham was observed with three other defendants in the jail’s gum at 10:41 p.m. “While three inmates were seated on the ground talking, (Burham) was observed walking around the yard.”

Police allege in the affidavit that at 11:26 p.m. Burham “was observed standing on a pull up machine” and “exited the yard through a metal gated roof. After escaping from the yard, (Burham) tied a rope which consisted of multiple sheets tied together. (Burham) then tied said rope from the roof and allows it to hang on a portico.

“(Burham) slid down the rope, landing on the portico, and jumped from the portico to the ground. He then took off on foot.”

Warren County Crime Stoppers also announced that a reward of up to $2,000 is available for “information leading to arrest and capture of Warren County #1 — MOST WANTED — Michael Burham.

According to the city’s statement, federal state and local agencies “are working cooperatively on this developing incident.”

Agencies involved include City of Warren police, Pennsylvania State Police, Warren County EMA, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Border Patrol, Warren County Sheriff, Chautauqua County Sheriff, Jamestown Police, Bradford Police and the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

Stelter said there has been “very good communication” between agencies in Pennsylvania and New York and that law enforcement is thankful for reports made by the public in connection with this investigation.

Burham’s escape is the latest chapter in what has become a months-long saga. He is the prime suspect in the May 11 shooting death of 34-year-old Kala Hodgkin inside her William Street home in Jamestown. Afterward, the former Chautauqua County resident is accused of setting fire to another woman’s car in Jamestown.

More than a week after Hodgkin’s death, Burham allegedly kidnapped a Warren County couple from their Sheffield home at gunpoint. Using their vehicle, he drove the pair to South Carolina.

The couple was found safe, and Burham was eventually taken into custody after eluding police for days by running through the woods. In June, he was extradited back to New York state where he went before a federal judge in Buffalo.

Burham had been moved to Warren County on June 19. He was arraigned before District Judge Raymond

Zydonik on three first-degree felonies — two counts of kidnapping and one of burglary; five other felonies — two counts of aggravated assault and one each of theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, and criminal trespass; 15 misdemeanors; and three summary counts.

Each count of kidnapping carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and up to a $25,000 fine, as does the burglary charge. The aggravated assault charges carry maximums of up to 10 years and a $25,000 fine each.

Burham has yet to be indicted on any charge in Chautauqua County.

Jason Schmidt, Chautauqua County district attorney, said local concern lies with potential witnesses in New York, with efforts made to ensure their safety and that of the community. Schmidt also said his office is awaiting test results prior to bringing any charges against Burham in Chautauqua County.

Reporter Eric Tichy contributed to this article.