BELFAST, Maine (NEWS CENTER)-- The manhunt for accused killer Robert Burton continues in Piscataquis County is approaching its sixth week.To see how it compares to other manhunts in Maine NEWS CENTER took a look at other notable manhunts in state history.
One in particular stood out, because it began 34 years ago Wednesday. On July 15, 1981, two convicts, Milton Wallace and Arnold Nash, escaped from the state prison farm.
Hundreds of state troopers, game wardens and 20 canines searched for them near Moody Mountain in Searsmont for 22 days. Among them was now retired game warden and later Waldo County Sheriff, John Ford.
At one point, Ford was held at gunpoint by the pair. He was not harmed but a search dog he was with was wounded.
Ford sees similarities between this manhunt and the ongoing on in Piscataquis County.
He said police may be more on edge than he was though because the person they're looking for actually knows the area he's hiding in.
Wallace and Nash thought they were close to Canada, even though they actually were in Waldo County.
"You're dealing with someone that knows the area, that's in camouflage, that's in the thickest of country," said Ford. " I just can't imagine the tension that must be with the guys that are up there trying to bring this to a conclusion."
Other notable Piscataquis County manhunts include a 1943 search for a Canadian draft dodger who had shot a man.
That search resulted in the fugitive's death.
