The fugitives who drove a New Jersey jail guard to suicide are likely still in the area, aided and abetted by supporters, officials said yesterday.
On Dec. 15, Otis Blunt, 32, and José Espinosa, 20, escaped from the Union County jail in Elizabeth.
“We’re getting various leads,” said Union County Sheriff Ralph Froelich. “Some of our information indicates that they haven’t gone too far.”
Investigators are hoping to turn up the heat, especially after the suicide Wednesday of Rudolph Zurick, 40, the jail guard who discovered the prisoners missing.
The fugitives mockingly scribbled Zurick’s name on a “thank-you” note they left behind.
James Plousis, the US marshal for New Jersey, said officials thought the two had split up, but now believe the criminals are still together.
“There’s no question someone is . . . providing them with food and shelter,” said Plousis, whose office is helping to track the escapees.