Authorities announced on Saturday that they might be closing in on the self-taught survivalist who had been identified as the suspect for the ambush of two Pennsylvania troopers, which resulted in one fatality.

An assault rifle and ammunition hidden in the woods were found near the Pennsylvania trooper barracks where the attack occurred--a clear indication that Eric Frein, a 31-year-old 'cop hater', had been around the area.

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Investigators believe they have been close to finally catching up with Frein, who could be in the area.They deemed it possible that the survivalist could have easily hidden inside caves in the rugged terrain to conceal his presence from heat-seeking sensors of helicopters.

Reports indicated that Frein has been dubbed as the main suspect for the ambush on the Blooming Grove state police barracks on Sep. 12 during a shift change. The attack left Corporal Bryon Dickson dead and Trooper Alex Douglass severely wounded.

"Frein planned for months or maybe years; planned his attack and his retreat," Pennsylvania state police Lieutenant Colonel Greg Bivens stated during a press conference on Sunday.

Authorities employed tracker dogs and helicopters armed with heat-seeking sensors as about 400 law enforcers, including FBI agents, U.S. Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, sought to "push" Frein harder until he's caught.

According to Barrett Township board of supervisors Chairman Ralph Megliola, authorities have surrounded an area where the suspect was believed to be hiding on Friday evening.

At around 6:40 p.m. on Friday, a Monroe County 911 report stated that there had been shots fired along the main area of the search, which was believed to be from a police encounter with Frein.

Reports stated that the area is not far from Frein's family residence in Canadensis.

Initial investigations revealed that the suspect used a high-powered .308-caliber rifle during the ambush, which was suspected to be directed at law enforcement officials in general, with no particular individual as a set target.

TagsPennsylvania, cop, ambush, shooting, Suspect