A stuffed animal is seen across the street from the William Street home where a woman was found dead Thursday. The woman’s identity was not released by police. P-J photo by Eric Tichy

The Jamestown Police Department is looking for a 34-year-old man considered “armed and dangerous” following a series of emergencies occurring in an almost unprecedented half-hour span early Thursday. At the center of three ongoing investigations is the death of an adult woman.

Michael C. Burham is wanted for questioning, though authorities were cautious during a press conference at City Hall in revealing too many details. However, Capt. Robert Samuelson and Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt stressed the importance of locating Burham or his vehicle — a 2018 red Ram 3500 pickup truck with a flat bed.

A tip later led to the location of the truck, though that location wasn’t disclosed by press time.

“We encourage the public, if they are to come across him, to call us immediately,” Jackson said of Burham, later adding, “he should be considered armed and dangerous, and the public should not approach him.”

At about 4:30 a.m., city officers had been sent to 125 William St. for a report of an unresponsive woman. The adult female, whose identity was not released Thursday, was confirmed to be deceased.

Police Chief Timothy Jackson is pictured during a news conference at City Hall.

Just minutes after the call for the unresponsive woman went out, firefighters and officers were notified of a vehicle fire on Fulton Street. Matt Coon, deputy fire chief, later confirmed the fire was incendiary, meaning a device was reportedly used to start the blaze.

The day’s events began around 4 a.m. when Jamestown officers responded to Danielson Oil Co. on Crescent Street after a burglary alarm had been activated. Patrol then came across the blaze.

Coon said the fire, which was under control in about 45 minutes, was accidental in nature, likely the result of a “faulty appliance” in a first-floor breakroom.

Though Jackson did not identify the manner in which the woman died, Schmidt alluded to a homicide.

“Any time there is a homicide, and that’s what we’re dealing with here, we’re called to the scenes so that we can assist with law enforcement in order to develop and preserve evidence. We’ve done that,” the DA told reporters. “There’s been a number of avenues that we’ve pursued on our side. We’ve also reached out to our law enforcement partners outside the state and we’ve gotten some contribution from a number of different agencies here in Chautauqua County, outside the county.”

Michael C. Burham

Schmidt acknowledged Rob Greene, the district attorney in Warren County, Pa., aided police with obtaining a search warrant.

City officials would not state if the woman’s death and vehicle fire may be related. Regarding the three calls in about a half-hour span, Jackson said, “I want to be clear that these incidents are still under investigation.”

Police want to speak with Burham, a white male weighing about 160 pounds. His photograph, as well as a picture of his truck, was widely shared on social media.

Seven agencies, including the FBI, are part of what has become a wide-ranging investigation that reached into Warren County.

Burham may be wanted for questioning after Thursday’s events, however, as recently as last Friday the 34-year-old was listed on JPD’s Top 10 Most Wanted list on charges of first-degree rape and unlawful imprisonment.

Police officers are pictured Thursday morning outside a William Street home in Jamestown. An adult woman was confirmed to be deceased inside, though few details have been released. P-J photos by Eric Tichy

The search for Burham impacted operations at schools both locally and in Pennsylvania. Jamestown Public Schools said, “out of an abundance of caution,” it placed all buildings on a precautionary lockout Thursday afternoon.

“Instruction and after-school activities will continue as normal,” the district said in a message. “If necessary, the lockout will continue tomorrow. JPS will send more information as it becomes available.”

However, the events in Jamestown seemed to have a larger impact in neighboring Warren County. A concert scheduled at Youngsville Elementary School was postponed Thursday, while parent pickup was required at Youngsville Elementary School and Youngsville Middle High School

“We are not comfortable allowing students to walk home or to walk from the bus to their homes,” the Warren County School District announced.

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