LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The search for suspected kidnapper and sexual assaulter Paul A. Etter continued Sunday around the Girl Scout camp's property in eastern Tippecanoe County, Sheriff Bob Goldsmith said.

Etter, 55, stopped to help a woman in her 20s who had a flat tire in rural Tippecanoe County on Saturday afternoon, Goldsmith said. But instead of helping her, police suspect he abducted her and took her to a remote area in the 700 block of South Tippecanoe County Road 775 East.

This area is near the Girl Scout camp and near where Etter lives, Goldsmith said.

Etter confined the woman and sexually assaulted her in this area, Goldsmith said.

The woman managed to escape once during the afternoon, but he caught her and confined her again, Goldsmith said.

About 5 p.m., Etter drove the woman to a residence and let her out, and she called police, Goldsmith said.

This started a massive manhunt Saturday that involved helicopters, drones, police dogs and officers from nearly half a dozen agencies.

The hunt went into the early hours Sunday and continued after sunrise, Goldsmith said.

The search Sunday did not involve helicopters, Goldsmith said. It did, however, involve digital forensic experts after police noticed a comment on WLFI's Facebook page appearing to be from Etter, Goldsmith said.

WLFI reported that a person claiming to be Etter wrote, "Extremely intoxicated the devil was with her driving her wrecked car with only two tires remaining. I asked her if she needed assistance and the devil came unto me. I apoligise to my friends, community, law enforcement and and especially my family for creating this incident. I am only a danger to myself now."

WLFI reported the post was around 1 p.m.

Goldsmith said they are investigating whether it is from Etter.

The physical search continued near the camp Sunday, Goldsmith said.

There were no Girl Scouts at the camp Saturday or Sunday, Goldsmith said, but a camp is scheduled to start this week. The sheriff was advising them of the situation so they could make an informed decision about whether to postpone the camp.

For people living in eastern rural Tippecanoe County, Goldsmith's advice is to take precautions knowing that a dangerous suspect remains on the run. Lock doors and don't go outside unless it's necessary.

People across rural Tippecanoe County have inundated the sheriff's dispatch with requests for deputies to check their outbuildings. Goldsmith said if there is an obvious sign of an intruder in outbuildings around the area of central eastern Tippecanoe County, call them.

The priority is to search the area where Etter was last seen, and the department does not have the manpower to divert to search building that appear normal and undisturbed, Goldsmith explained.

Police suspect Etter is hunkered down in the area they currently are searching, which is heavily wooded, Goldsmith said.

"We don't have any reason to believe we need to expand the search area," he said.

Etter is described as about 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighs about 170 pounds. He has brown eyes, according to the sheriff's office.

If anyone sees Etter or knows where he is, immediately call 911. Do not try to approach him.

Reach Ron Wilkins at 765-420-5231 or at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.

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