Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry A Thursday morning school field trip to the Woodmobile at Warren County Fairgrounds was shut down early after police reported an armed fugitive may have passed through Irvine, Youngsville, and Pittsfield.

Reports of a possibly armed and dangerous fugitive driving through the Youngsville area resulted in heightened police activity and lockouts at Youngsville schools on Thursday.

The individual in question is reportedly a suspect in an early Thursday incident in Chautauqua County, N.Y.

In a short news release, Jamestown (N.Y.) Police Department said officers are looking to speak with Michael C. Burham, who was believed to be in the Jamestown or Warren areas.

The department did not specify the incident, but forensic investigators were seen earlier at a William Street, Jamestown, home. Around 4:30 a.m., officers were called to the same William Street property. According to county dispatch audio, an unresponsive woman had been discovered.

Anyone with any information regarding Burham is asked to contact the Jamestown Police Department immediately at (716) 483-7537 or the anonymous tip line at (716) 483-8477. All calls and tips will be kept confidential.

Youngsville Middle High School was on a secure lockout Thursday after police reported that an armed fugitive may have passed through the borough.

As recently as Friday, Burham was listed on the department’s Top 10 Most Wanted list. The 34-year-old, said to be a resident of Ashville, N.Y., was wanted on charges of first-degree rape and unlawful imprisonment.

There were police at both Youngsville Elementary School and Youngsville Middle High School shortly after 10 a.m.

The doors of the buildings were locked.

Warren County School District issued statements at 9 a.m. and shortly before 11 a.m. indicating that the buildings were in a secure lockout with no one to be permitted to enter or leave.

“Students are safe within the building and classes are occurring as normal with students moving within the building. If the situation remains as dismissal nears, additional communication will be sent out,” according to the 11 a.m. release.

Michael C. Burham

Toward the end of the school day, the district announced that it would not release Youngsville students in the typical way.

“Buses will not be transporting students home from Youngsville Elementary School or Youngsville Middle High School today,” according to a Thursday afternoon release. “Without knowing if the threat is or will be contained by the end of school… we are not comfortable allowing students to walk home or to walk from the bus to their homes. Students will be dismissed to parents or emergency contacts with photo identification. All students will need to physically be signed out.”

After school events were postponed, canceled, or moved.

A Thursday morning field trip to Warren County Fairgrounds was shut down early. Students were directed onto buses and sent back to their home schools.