Manhunt for suspected trooper killer shifts in Pennsylvania

CANADENSIS, Pa. - The delicate search for a survivalist charged with killing a trooper more than two weeks ago shifted slightly over the weekend in the dense woods that authorities fear may be booby-trapped, state police said Sunday.

Trooper Adam Reed said the search area in the Pocono Mountains largely remains the same as the past two days but has moved slightly to the southeast.

Police are constantly following up on information they receive, Reed said. He declined to go into specifics about why the shift occurred or what new information police may have.

The search for 31-year-old Eric Frein entered its 16th day Sunday. He is charged with opening fire at the Blooming Grove barracks during a shift change on the night of Sept. 12, killing Cpl. Bryon Dickson and seriously injuring Trooper Alex Douglass.

Frein is described by authorities as a survivalist, marksman and war re-enactment enthusiast who planned the attack for years, extensively researching how to avoid police manhunts and experimenting with explosives. Frein has held anti-law enforcement views for many years, police said.

Authorities believe they have Frein contained within a 5-square-mile perimeter around his parents' home in Canadensis.

Investigators believe he is armed with at least one high-powered rifle and might have booby-trapped the woods where authorities are looking for him.

Last week, police acknowledged Frein had purposely made himself visible to cops, before falling back into the dense forest he's been using as cover.

"Any sightings that occurred by law enforcement, again we're at a significant distance, there wasn't an opportunity to take a few steps and apprehend him," Lt. Col. George Bivens said.

Bivens revealed other clues discovered in the wilderness that are giving police added confidence that they're closing in on their suspect.

"Some of those items include Siberian cigarettes and soiled diapers that we have found in the area, among many other things," Bivens said.

Officials believe Frein is using diapers to remain stationary for long periods of time.

Cops say other evidence -- like notes and journals -- indicate Frein may have spent years planning the shooting at the Pennsylvania State Police barracks on September 12, where one officer was killed and another, seriously injured.

The ambush attack landed Frein on the FBI's most wanted list, and police have been authorized to use deadly force.