EMPORIUM — Cameron County police have been searching for an Emporium man who allegedly abducted a woman Aug. 8.
The woman who was a bank employee in Emporium was able to escape the abduction attempt. Thomas Smith of Emporium is believed to be connected to the abduction but has not been seen since.
Since his disappearance, police have been conducting searches throughout town and state game lands looking for Smith.
Chief John Lovett of the Emporium Borough Police Department told WJAC-TV that there have been reported sightings of Smith, but they have all been unfounded.
Recently, Lovett said police searched wooded areas with cadaver dogs and still haven’t found a trace of Smith.
On Monday morning, police confirmed with WJAC-TV that a letter signed by Smith was dropped off at the local newspaper’s office, the Cameron County Echo.
Lovett told WJAC-TV that at this time, they aren’t positively certain who the real author is. He said the letter indicated the author’s version of what happened Aug. 8.
The Associated Press has reported that the person who wrote the letter said (he) “will be back to face these very stupid charges.”
Lovett told WJAC-TV that they are using this as a potential lead in their investigation. A forensic investigator is working on determining who wrote the letter.
The Cameron County Echo is located across from Sheetz store. Lovett would not comment about whether they are using surveillance video to determine who dropped off the letter.
There is a $5,000 reward for information leading to Smith’s arrest.
