Go Fetch!: Couple’s Dog Helps Capture Escaped Inmate in Pennsylvania

An escaped inmate in Pennsylvania was captured recently thanks to assistance from an unlikely yet extremely smart helper.

When Conewango Township residents Ron and Cindy Ecklund heard their beloved dog, Tucker, barking in the woods behind their house on Saturday, they knew something was not right, KOCO reported Monday.

MEET TUCKER: A barking dog is being credited with helping capture of Pennsylvania escaped inmate Michael Burham.https://t.co/7hgkEQZbOK pic.twitter.com/3B0yYlEyCy

— CBS Philadelphia (@CBSPhiladelphia) July 18, 2023

The pair hopped into their golf cart and took off toward where his barks were heard. However, they did not expect to bump into a man, identified as Michael Burham, who was a prison escapee.

Meet the dog who discovered an unwanted guest behind the home of Pennsylvania couple Ron and Cindy Ecklund.

After the couple heard barking in their backyard, they had discovered the escaped prisoner Michael Burham in their backyard. @SPECNews1ROC @SPECNews1BUF pic.twitter.com/sfIjprrlCL

— Adriana Loh (@adriana_loh) July 16, 2023

The 34-year-old fugitive, who was being held at the Warren County jail, reportedly used exercise equipment to scramble onto the jail’s roof and make his escape using bed sheets, Fox News reported Monday.

“He is the main suspect in the shooting of Kala Hodgkin in Jamestown, New York, and later allegedly set a parked car on fire and also kidnapped a Pennsylvania couple. He was able to elude authorities for nine days after his escape,” the outlet said.

When they encountered the man, Ron Ecklund said he asked him what he was doing, and the man said, “I’m camping.”

A good boy: Meet the Pennsylvania couple – and their dog, a chocolate lab named Tucker – who found Michael Burham on Saturday. https://t.co/epQuNvOlem pic.twitter.com/vO9bZyHvco

— News 4 Buffalo (@news4buffalo) July 16, 2023

However, Ecklund already recognized him as Burham. Moments later, the couple high-tailed it back home, dialing 911 on the way, and it was not long before the fugitive was taken into custody.

The discovery happened in an area where law enforcement had been searching, one official said, adding, “That’s been our strategy all along is to push him hard, to have him make a mistake. He finally did.”

The outcome may have been different had Tucker not alerted his owners to the man’s presence. When speaking of his faithful companion, Ecklund said, “He’s the hero.”

ONLY ON 4: Meet the couple who called in the tip that led to the capture of Michael Burham. Their dog Tucker alerted them to the stranger in their backyard. It’s an incredible story you’ll only see on @news4buffalo. pic.twitter.com/N6AtULveBu

— Patrick Ryan (@patryanreports) July 16, 2023

The Warren Crime Stoppers gave the couple a $2,000 cash reward as a thank-you for their help in putting the community at ease, Erie News Now reported Tuesday.