Now
67
Fri
75
Sat
75
Briana Supardi
TOPICS:
BRIGHTON, N.Y. (WRGB) — The search for a man suspected of killing his girlfriend in Cohoes is now well into its second week, with police confirming they have found no trace of him since his truck was abandoned in Franklin County.
Anthony “Tony” Bechand, 53, is accused of stabbing his girlfriend, Amanda Rodriguez, 41, to death inside her home in Cohoes on Sept. 13. Her body was discovered the next morning.
State Police say Bechand’s white 2024 Chevrolet Silverado was found abandoned the same weekend in the Town of Brighton. Blood was found inside the truck, leading investigators to believe he was injured on his left side.
Neighbors later told CBS6 they had noticed the truck parked on Sept. 13 but thought nothing of it at the time since it was parked at a bottle deposit drop off site.
Despite extensive search efforts with search crews, dogs, drones, and helicopters, police say there have been no sightings of Bechand in the heavily wooded area.
“The heaviest concentration of our search efforts have been the mile and a half area north towards Malone and south towards Lake Clear,” said Peter Arcadi, Troop B Commander for New York State Police. “So far, we’ve logged over 600 miles of recorded tracks over an area covering more than 950 acres.”
Officials say they believe Bechand is still alive.
“Because of the amount of effort in the search in this area, we believe that it’s less likely that he’s deceased and more likely that he is alive and still here in the area,” said Stu Smith, Assistant Chief Inspector with the U.S. Marshals Service.
However, investigators are not ruling out the possibility that Bechand may have hitched a ride.
“If anyone has seen Mr. Bechand or may have unknowingly given him a ride, we strongly encourage you to come forward,” Arcadi said.
Residents in Brighton say the search has created unease.
“It’s an unusual feeling, kind of eerie,” said Kathrine Burgess. “It feels unsettling knowing that he’s out there, but at the same time I’m not concerned for my safety.”
With hunting season underway, police are urging people in the area to stay alert, check campsites and trail cameras, and report anything unusual.
“Please be aware of your surroundings and what you’re shooting at, as there may be law enforcement present in the wooded areas,” Arcadi added.
State Police are offering a $7,500 reward for information leading to Bechand’s capture. Anyone who believes they have seen him is asked not to approach, but to contact State Police immediately. State Police in Ray Brooks can be contacted by calling 518-897-2000.