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A jury has found an Emporium man guilty of carjacking a bank employee at gunpoint last August. 49-year-old Thomas Smith was also found guilty of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and possession of a stolen firearm. In the incident that happened a year ago today Smith asked Kimberlea Whiting for a ride, claiming he had car trouble. He then pulled a gun on her and told her it was going to be the worst day of her life. She managed to escape from the car. Smith then ran away, prompting a 26-day manhunt. Sentencing is tentatively scheduled for November 15. Read more here The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A grand jury has delivered a superseding indictment against the Emporium man accused of carjacking a bank employee at gunpoint because he blamed her for losing his home to foreclosure. 58-year-old Thomas Smith had already been indicted on federal charges for the August 2012 kidnapping. Earlier this month Smith’s trial was postponed after his attorneys successfully argued that federal budget cuts would have adverse effects on their legal practice. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania today announced the return of a two-count indictment against Thomas Edward Smith, age 58, of Emporium, Pennsylvania. The indictment charges Smith with taking a motor vehicle by force and violence and using a firearm during a crime of violence. According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, the indictment alleges that on August 8, 2012 Smith pretended to be working on a car parked along a street in Emporium and flagged down an employee of Citizens & Northern Bank. He entered the vehicle and pulled out a handgun. The indictment alleges that Smith then directed the victim to drive to the Citizens & Northern Bank branch in Emporium. Smith allegedly told the victim this would be “the worst day of her life,” that the victim and the bank had taken his house away from him in a bank foreclosure, and that the victim and another bank employee were now “going to pay for it,” or words to that effect....

The Cameron County man accused of kidnapping a woman at gunpoint a month ago is behind bars in Potter County. 58-year-old Thomas Smith was picked up at the Allegany Pub in Emporium at about 8:45 last night and after being arraigned was sent to jail on $75,000 bail. Police say they got a tip at about 8:10 last night saying Smith was at the bar. Emporium Borough Police and state police surrounded the bar, and about half an hour later Smith called them and said he wanted to turn himself in. He was arraigned in front of District Judge Barry Brown on charges of kidnapping, aggravated assault terroristic threats, unlawful restraint, false imprisonment, reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct. Smith is accused of kidnapping a woman at gunpoint on August 8. She was able to get away and call police. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Police are investigating a break-in at the Cameron County home of fugitive Thomas Smith. They say significant damage was done to the inside of Smith’s home on Clear Creek Road. They don’t know if anything was taken because of the extent of the damage. Smith is wanted into connection to the kidnapping of a bank employee about a month ago. A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to Smith’s arrest and conviction. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Cameron County Echo newspaper received a letter sometime Monday that claims to be from fugitive Thomas Smith. According to the Endeavor Media Facebook page, authorities are not sure if the letter is actually from Smith and are examining video footage taken by Sheetz security cameras that may have captured the delivery of the letter. The letter says Smith plans to turn himself in. Police have not released any further information because of the ongoing investigation. Smith is accused of kidnapping a woman at gunpoint on August 8. She was able to get away. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

About a dozen agencies searched near Emporium today for accused kidnapper Thomas Smith, but did not find him. Police have been looking for the 58-year-old Cameron County resident since last Wednesday when he allegedly kidnapped a woman at gunpoint. She was able to get away. Searchers looked in the Whittimore Hill and Norwich Hill areas for about six hours. Two state police cadaver dogs were on the scene because police believe it’s possible Smith committed suicide. Police say they will continue the search. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Police in Cameron County are still searching for Thomas Smith, and are looking into the possibility that he killed himself. Endeavor News is reporting on its Facebook page that police received a report of a gunshot fired where a person may have seen Smith last week. Cadaver dogs have been called in to follow up on that lead. Police have searched property of many of Smith’s relatives but did not say what, if anything, they found. Smith is accused of kidnapping at woman at gunpoint last Wednesday afternoon. The woman was able to get away. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The reward for information leading to the capture of Thomas Smith is now $5,000. Emporium Borough Police say, along with the $2,000 being offered by PA Crime Stoppers, two private citizens have added another $3,000. The 58-year-old Cameron County man is accused of kidnapping a woman at gunpoint Wednesday afternoon. She was able to escape, but the search for Smith has been on since then. Police say they did receive a report Sunday night saying someone saw Smith in the area of Route 120 between Emporium and St. Marys, but the person was not Smith after all. Mountain Rescue also searched in the Whittimore Hill area on Sunday. Police remind people that Smith is considered armed and dangerous, and that anyone helping him elude police may also face felony charges. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The search continues in Cameron County for the man accused of holding a bank employee at gunpoint on Wednesday. 56-year-old Thomas Smith asked the 39-year-old victim for a ride, claiming his car broke down, and then demanded that she take him to the bank where she works. She refused, and eventually was able to get out of her SUV and call police. Smith ran from the scene after the SUV crashed into the front porch of a house. Smith is reportedly upset because his house is in foreclosure. According to papers filed in the Cameron County Courthouse, that happened in September of last year. The woman he is accused of holding at gunpoint works at the bank that is handling the foreclosure. Smith is also accused of threatening another person who works at a different branch of the bank. Emporium police Chief John Lovett says Smith is considered dangerous because he remains "armed and aggravated." He added that police have a car outside the bank in case Smith thinks about returning. Th...

For updates throughout the afternoon: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Endeavor-Media/101971879891091 Thomas Smith Still on the Loose Authorities say they are following up on possible leads to find a man who took a 39-year-old woman hostage Wednesday afternoon and is still on the run. Emporium Borough Police say 58-year-old Tom Smith of Clear Creek held the woman at gunpoint in her SUV, but she was able to jump out a few minutes later. Smith ran from the scene after the SUV went off the road and hit the front porch of a house. The woman, who police did not name, is an employee of a bank, and police say Smith also threatened another bank employee. Police called off the search overnight, but started it up again this morning. They say Smith is armed and agitated, and should be considered dangerous. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call 9-1-1. Police say because Smith is a wanted felon anyone who gives him food, clothes, money, transportation or shelter will face charges...

A search is still under way in Cameron and surrounding counties for the man who kidnapped a woman at gunpoint Wednesday afternoon and forced her drive him away in her SUV. The woman was able to dive out of the SUV, and after that 58-year-old Thomas Smith of Clear Creek ran away from the scene. The woman, who police did not identify, was not seriously hurt. She is an employee of a bank, and Smith is also accused of threatening another person who works at the same bank. Emporium residents were told to lock their doors; band camp and other activities near Cameron County High School were moved inside, and the school was on lockdown. The Cameron County Fairgrounds was searched as well, but after the search the fair continued. Smith is 5 feet 10 inches tall with gray hair. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact 911 or Emporium-based state police. Tina Johns at the Cameron County Chamber of Commerce & Artisan Center is providing frequent updates on their Facebook p...