Most Wanted Fugitive from Massachusetts Spotted in Oregon

Massachusetts State Police are working with law enforcement agencies in Pacific Northwest to track fugitive Michael Breshahan.

Photo of Michael Breshnahan: Massachusetts State Police

(SPRINGFIELD, Ore.) - Massachusetts State Police say Michael Breshnahan, one of the state's most wanted fugitives, was spotted last weekend in a store in Springfield, Oregon and was then seen hitchhiking on an Oregon highway.

36-year old Breshnahan is wanted for terrorizing and sexually assaulting a 61-year old woman after forcibly entering her home in Winchendon, Mass. last year.

Breshnahan, who has been featured on the television show "America's Most Wanted," was seen Saturday night by a viewer, purchasing camping equipment in a Walmart in Springfield, Oregon.

Further information developed by local police there revealed that Breshnahan was last seen hitchhiking later that night on northbound Interstate 5 in Springfield. Investigators believe that Breshnahan frequents truck stops and may be hitchhiking with truck drivers.

Massachusetts State Police warn that Breshnahan should be considered dangerous and potentially armed, and urge anyone who sees him to contact police immediately.

Police say Breshnahan broke into the Winchendon home of his victim, a former school teacher, early on the morning of August 30th, 2007. Armed with a knife, he held her against her will for more than two hours while assaulting her.

Detectives said that based on evidence gathered during a subsequent investigation, Winchendon Police obtained an arrest warrant for Breshnahan out of the Winchendon District Court. Winchendon is located in north central Massachusetts. Breshnahan is 5'9" tall and weighs approximately 160 lbs. He is Caucasian, with a light complexion and blue eyes, and brown hair, which he may be wearing long or in a pony tail.

He has several tattoos: a woman's head on his chest, a music note on his wrist, a panther on his right upper arm, a rose and heart on his right forearm, and an eagle on his left forearm. A fan of rock music, Police say Breshnahan enjoys playing guitar and may be using aliases. Anyone with information about Michael Breshnahan or his whereabouts is urged to call the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section at 1-800-KAPTURE (1-800-527-8873).

Information related to Breshnahan's whereabouts in Oregon can also be forwarded to Oregon State Police Northern Command Center dispatch at 800-452-7888.

Source: Oregon State Police and Massachusetts State Police