An extensive search in the Fargo-Moorhead area revealed no signs that a homicide suspect from the Chicago area is still around after apparently ditching a vehicle in downtown Fargo late Wednesday or early Thursday.
"Right now, we don't have anything to show that he's here, but we'll continue to operate under the assumption he's here until he gets caught someplace else," said Fargo Police Lt. Pat Claus, referring to Eric Gilford, 31, of Downers Grove, Ill.
Police say Gilford, a sailor in the Navy, is wanted for questioning in connection with the stabbing death of his wife Wednesday afternoon in a suburb of Chicago.
A car with government plates that authorities believe Gilford was driving was found abandoned in a downtown Fargo parking lot early Thursday.
Claus said a major crimes task force from DuPage (Ill.) County arrived Thursday night in Fargo and examined the suspect's car Friday.
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Claus said with the help of a U.S. Marshals Service fugitive task force, local authorities conducted extensive canvassing Thursday, checking out transportation hubs and places where someone might stop, such as restaurants and bars.
He said cyber canvassing was also done via computer to check for possible connections between Gilford and the Fargo area.
Several tips were also tracked down, but none panned out, Claus said.
Police said anyone who has information about Gilford's whereabouts is asked to call 911 or Fargo police.
He is described as 6-foot-4, 210 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.
Reach Olson at (701) 241-5555. The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead and the Herald are owned by Forum Communications Co.
