Search near Williamsport done, but suspect in slaying of Washington County judge at large

Authorities wrapped up their search in the Williamsport area shortly after noon Sunday for Pedro Argote, the suspect in the murder of Washington County Circuit Court Judge Andrew F. Wilkinson, according to a Facebook post by the county sheriff's office.

"No further information indicates that Argote is still in the immediate area," the post states.

Authorities were searching a former tannery site and other vacant properties near Williamsport after Argote's Mercedes SUV was found in a remote area north of town late Saturday morning.

County Sheriff Brian Albert said the silver 2009 Mercedes GL450 was found on the property of the former GST AutoLeather tannery, also formerly known as Byron Leather.

Tactical units were seen searching a vacant facility on Clear Spring Road, also known as Md. 68, shortly before Albert spoke at a 5 p.m. news conference Saturday.

Albert said the tannery and other vacant structures in the region, including some on the former Cushwa Brick site, were being cleared methodically in the hunt for Pedro Manuel Argote, 49, of Frederick, Md.

Authorities said Argote shot and killed Wilkinson in the judge's driveway north of Hagerstown on Thursday night.

Albert, who on Friday noted Argote had a permit to carry a firearm, is considered armed and dangerous. However, Albert added that he did not feel the community was at risk.

"We're going to catch this guy," Albert said during Saturday's news conference at Byron Memorial Park in Williamsport. "It's just a matter of time."

Argote was described as 5-foot-7 and 130 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

The photo the sheriff's office provided of Argote is recent, Albert said.

Anyone with information about Argote, 49, is asked to notify law enforcement immediately, Albert said.

C&O Canal towpath reopens Sunday afternoon

The Washington County Sheriff's Office had asked people on Saturday to avoid the search area, which included the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal towpath, River Bottom Park, Bottom Road and nearby.

The National Park Service, late Saturday morning, closed the towpath from the Cushwa Basin in Williamsport west to Dam No. 5.

That stretch of the towpath was reopened around noon Sunday, according to the park service's website.

Sgt. Carly Hose said Saturday that people in the area should have situational awareness and call 911 if they see something suspicious.

"We just want our community to be vigilant," she said, adding it was unrealistic to shut the whole area down.

Argote's Mercedes was found in a wooded area off Bottom Road.

Bottom Road is northwest of Williamsport, along the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal and Potomac River before turning north to Clear Spring Road (Md. 68). Bottom Road is about 10.5 miles southwest of Olde Waterford Road where the judge was shot outside his home.

The U.S. Marshal's Service, which is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to Argote's capture, said that Argote "has ties to multiple locations beyond the state of Maryland to include Brooklyn and Long Island, New York; Tampa and Clearwater, Florida; Columbus, Indiana; and unknown cities in North Carolina."

Asked Saturday, Albert said it was possible that Argote was no longer in the area, giving the proximity of the towpath and railroads. But authorities were not taking any chances and were securing the area, he said.

The sheriff's office was getting assistance from Hagerstown Police Department, Frederick County Sheriff's Office, Maryland Natural Resources Police, National Park Service, and the U.S Marshal’s Service's Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force.

Suspect's vehicle found near Williamsport

The Mercedes SUV that authorities believe Argote was driving was found by a property owner in the area around 11 a.m. Saturday.

Albert noted that it is muzzle-loader deer hunting season, though he was unsure if the property owner was hunting when he discovered the vehicle.

It was not immediately clear how long the vehicle had been parked in the area, Albert said. Authorities did a preliminary "safety search" of the vehicle and had obtained a search warrant. However, as of the news 5 p.m. conference, they had not done a more detailed search of the vehicle. Asked why the delay in searching the vehicle further, Albert said the vehicle was in an active search zone.

"We want to make sure we have an ironclad case so we can bring him to justice," Albert said in regards to obtaining a search warrant for the vehicle.

Once they enter the vehicle, police will pull the Mercedes' computer and other evidence, he said.

More about murder of Maryland judge: Reward offered for info leading to man wanted in shooting of Washington County judge

What do police believe led to the shooting?

Wilkinson on Thursday issued a ruling in Argote's divorce case that Argote could have no contact with his children or wife.

Albert said Friday that Argote was not at the hearing in person on Thursday.

Wilkinson was found shot around 8 p.m. in the driveway of his home on Olde Waterford Road, which is off Long Meadow Road north of Hagerstown. He was taken to Meritus Medical Center east of Hagerstown where he was later pronounced dead.

Albert said at the Friday news conference that Wilkinson's wife and son were home when the shooting occurred. The wife and son are "OK," Albert said in an interview.

Asked about Argote's wife and children Saturday, Albert said they were under protection.

"They’re well protected,” he said.

Background: Washington County Circuit Court Judge Andrew Wilkinson dies in fatal shooting: Updates

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Pedro Argote's Mercedes found; suspect in judge's murder still missing