NEW BETHLEHEM – A Westover man who escaped police custody on Monday evening in New Bethlehem is still at large.
New Bethlehem Police Chief Scott Ryan told exploreClarion.com that the search continues for Michael J. Wholaver Jr., 26, of Westover.
Wholaver was taken into custody on Monday around 5 p.m. after an officer noticed he was acting suspicious. The officer encountered him and discovered he had outstanding warrants out of Cambria County.
He was transported to the New Bethlehem police Station where he escaped a short time later with the aid of his girlfriend, who lives in the area.
Ryan says she is now in custody.
Authorities later discovered footprints across an ice-covered Redbank Creek and extended the search into Armstrong County.
Wholaver is not armed and was last seen in handcuffs, according to Ryan.
Ryan says Wholaver does not have any other ties to the area.
He is 6 feet tall and has brown eyes. He was wearing a gray/black hoody-type shirt, blue jeans, brown cowboy-style work boots without laces and a black ball cap.
New Bethlehem police caution residents to lock their doors and keep all keys out of their vehicles. Residents are asked to report any suspicious activity to 9-1-1.
State police at Kittanning and Clarion, Clarion Borough police and the Clarion County District Attorney’s Office are assisting with the search.
