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Possible Sightings Shift Search To Populated Area

PARADISE TOWNSHIP — Blood found at two homes in Monroe County last week was tested and results show it’s not the blood of accused cop killer Eric Fr...

PARADISE TOWNSHIP -- Blood found at two homes in Monroe County last week was tested and results show it's not the blood of accused cop killer Eric Frein.

But there was a lot of activity in a new search area on Monday.

Extra security was put in place around Pocono Mountain East High School near Mount Pocono after a woman claimed she saw Frein near the property Friday night.

The search for the man wanted for killing one state trooper and injuring another last month is now concentrated in that area around Paradise Township.

This area has a lot of businesses, housing developments, schools, and a busy Route 611.

Late Monday afternoon, police swarmed the area along Swiftwater Road and Lower Swiftwater Road. Police said an officer thought he saw Frein near the post office.

This all comes after a possible sighting of Frein was made Friday night near the Pocono Mountain East football field.

Dozens of state police vehicles moved into position along Lower Swiftwater Road. Heavily armed camouflaged troopers climbed a steep hill with guns drawn. A helicopter circled overhead.

These are all things we've seen before in the more than month-long manhunt for Eric Frein.

But it's the first time we're seeing so much activity in such a busy area with school letting out at Pocono Mountain's Swiftwater campus.

"The wooded area is big. I feel like I'm in a safe zone when I see these guys," said Jerry Rue.

Rue watched from his window while the troopers moved into the woods. Rue says there are several abandoned homes around there and until Frein's caught, Rue says he wakes up with the manhunt on his mind.

"First thing that pops in my mind: is this guy out here?"

The massive search moved to this area near Route 611 over the weekend after a woman called police. Police believe she saw the accused cop killer near her home, directly next to the high school football field.

"He was kind of holding the gun down and facing away from me. Then when he turned, as soon as I saw the gun, I ran," she said.

The woman says she saw the man for only about 30 seconds and could clearly see mud on his face and a rifle with a scope.

"It was very alarming and creepy how he showed no reaction. It was avoiding contact."

If police believe Frein's still in the area, the last person to possibly see him wonders what he's doing here.

"Maybe he's closer to this [area] because he's planning on doing something, or he's just done and he doesn't care. It looks like a big game of hide and go seek."

State police haven't said what led to the big response in the search for Frein.

Pocono Mountain School District moved all afternoon activities to another campus, and some buses were delayed.

There was more security there at the Swiftwater campus and there is no word if classes will be held on Tuesday.

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