Hundreds of cops put prison town on lockdown in hunt for 'Shawshank' escapees

Hundreds of cops put prison town on lockdown in hunt for 'Shawshank' escapees: Schools shut, roads blocked and residents told to stay indoors after bloodhounds 'picked up killers' scent'

• Convicted murderers Richard Matt, 48, and David Sweat, 34, escaped from Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, New York six days ago 
• Officials said bloodhounds picked up the scent of escapees on Thursday morning after coming across area where men were'bedding down'
• Authorities said a 'tip' led them to focus on an area close to the prison
• Road blocks were put in place and residents asked to lock doors and windows while turning on outside lights
• On sixth day of search, still NO confirmed sighting of the two killers  
• Prison worker Joyce Mitchell still being questioned by police as someone who may have had a role in the inmates' escape. Investigators said on Thursday that they were holding off on charging her because she's cooperating  

The manhunt for two escaped killers intensified on Thursday as law enforcement zeroed in on an area of rough, swampy terrain around three miles from the New York prison they broke out of six days ago.

Bloodhounds picked up the scent of Richard Matt, 48, and David Sweat, 34, this morning when officers came across an area where the men had been reportedly 'bedding down'. A boot print and food wrappers were found at the scene.

Squadrons of law enforcement swarmed the area with helicopters sweeping overhead as schools were shut down and residents warned to stay indoors.

Matt and Sweat escaped in the early hours of Saturday from Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, obtaining power tools and cutting through steel walls, squeezing through a steam pipe and popping out of a manhole. It is believed they had several hours head start before the alarm was raised during prison rounds at 5.30am. 

A preliminary report on Thursday also revealed a possible sighting of the two escapees from a cab driver who dropped them off at 30th Street Station in Philadelphia, Fox reported.  

Dozens of law enforcement officers zeroed in on an area next to the prison on Thursday as the search for the two inmates who escaped the prison in Dannemora, New York, entered its sixth day

Law enforcement officers readied their weapons as they gathered at the prison gates early on Thursday morning to follow-up a lead in the hunt for the missing inmates

The manhunt focused on the village of Dannemora in upstate New York on Thursday. Teams searched an area along an eight-mile stretch of state highway, just three miles from the Clinton Correctional Facility where the men escaped in the early hours of Saturday

Convicted killers: David Sweat 34, and Richard Matt, 48, escaped the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, New York sometime between 10.30pm on Friday and 5.30am on Saturday. Authorities were convinced they must have had help on the inside. Matt is said to be 'well endowed'

In the early hours of Thursday, authorities said a 'tip' led them to focus on an area near the Clinton Correctional Facility with road blocks put in place and residents asked to lock doors and windows while turning on outside lights.

Search lamps were being used to sweep empty stretches of farmland, around three miles to the est of the prison along Route 374. 

Police told the Press-Republican this morning: 'Best lead by far... This could be it.'  

An eight-mile stretch of the state route was closed to further notice and Saranac Central School District closed to 'get out law enforcement's way', the superintendent told ABC. 

There has been no confirmed sightings of the two men. 

Sweat, who had been serving life without parole before his escape, may have back problems and be taking medication, CNN reported.  

Read full article at Daily Mail