Crime & Safety

Trooper Ambush Suspect Added To FBI's Ten Most Wanted

Eric Matthew Frein should be considered armed and extremely dangerous, the FBI says. by Alison Smith

Eric Matthew Frein (Photo courtesy of the FBI)

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Eric Matthew Frein has been added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list.

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Frein is suspected in the ambush shooting death of Pennsylvania State Police Corporal Byron K. Dickson, and the attempted murder of Trooper Alex T. Douglas II on Friday, Sept. 12, outside the Blooming Grove barracks in Pike County.

Frein, 31, should be considered “armed and extremely dangerous,” the FBI said.

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The FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading directly to Frein’s arrest.

Frein is “a weapons enthusiast, and a survivalist,” the FBI said. “He claims to have fought with Serbians in Africa, and he has studied Russian and Serbian languages.”

According to information released by Pennsylvania State Police earlier this week, Frein has harbored animosity toward police for years.

Frein is a member of a “military simulation unit,”ABC reports, whose members role-play the they are Eastern European soldiers.

Lt. Col. George Bivens at a Wednesday news conference said Frein “appears to have assumed that role in real life,” ABC reported.

He is believed to have at least two weapons with him: a .308 rifle with a scope and an AK-47 rifle.

Frein is 31 years old, and is described as being 6-foot-1, around 165 pounds, State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan said. Noonan said he should be considered extremely dangerous.

The FBI says Frein may have shaved his head on both sides, with long hair on the top. When he was last seen, he had no facial hair, and was wearing a brown-and-gold windbreaker, khaki shorts and sneakers. Frein is known to be a heavy smoker, the FBI said.

Frein has ties to Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey, the FBI said.

Anyone with any information about Frein should contact their local FBI office.

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