Police Get First Solid Lead In Search For Trooper Shooting Suspect

By Candice Nelson
WSLS10 Reporter
Published: March 29, 2008

Police have their first solid lead in their search for Steven Branscome, after a truck was reported stolen in West Virginia.
“We felt like through the night if we did not see Branscome anywhere, at some point, we would receive a report of a breaking and entering or stolen vehicle which would put us back on track,” said Sgt. Mike Honaker with Virginia State Police.
Now, police have crews searching on foot and in helicopters. But they aren’t taking this lead for granted. Deputies and troopers are standing guard everywhere on the Virginia and West Virginia lines. Especially, on East River Mountain Road, where they say Trooper Hughes followed Branscome, and was later shot.
Earlier Saturday, officials were blocking East River Mountain Road, so only the people who lived there could get through.
“Every time we come to cross the railroad tracks, when something is happening, they always stop you,” said Debra Whitt, who lives on that road. She said she couldn’t get to her home for two hours on Friday.
“They wouldn’t let us go up into town because the police had everything blocked off,” Whitt said.
The guards left Saturday afternoon, but police say they’ll still continue to patrol the road.
When asked if she felt safe, Whitt said, “Oh yeah.  There’s enough policemen around.”
Police say the stolen vehicle is a blue 1988 Ford F-150. They said it has extensive body damage. It has West Virginia plates that read: 5LW327.