William J. Gajdik Nebraska Department of Corrections

(Logan Township, Ind.) - There has been no sign of a Dearborn County burglary suspect since he vanished following a Tuesday afternoon shooting, but he could be lurking.

On Wednesday, William J. Gajdik was identified as a person of interest in a home burglary on North Dearborn Road, followed by the shooting of a man in another home about a half-mile away hours later.

"We can't say 100 percent that he is out of the area," said Det. John Vance with the Dearborn County Sheriff's Department and Special Crimes Unit.

Vance added that Gajdik has no known ties to Dearborn County through relatives or friends. Vance also discredited rumors that Gajdik has a girlfriend in the area.

Gajdik, 38, is an escapee from the Nebraska Department of Corrections. He was serving a ten to twenty year sentence for burglary when he escaped July 29.

Detectives tied Gajdik to the shooting and burglary thanks to the car left behind at the first home on North Dearborn Road. Gajdik had stolen the vehicle from a Peoria, Illinois car dealership while test driving.

The resident arrived home at about 10:00 a.m. to find that suspicious car running in his driveway. He pulled the keys from the ignition before confronting the burglar, who showed a gun and ran off into some nearby woods.

Police swarmed the area to begin searching for the suspect. At the time and still now, he should be considered armed and dangerous.

The victim of Tuesday's shooting on Ruth Avenue in Logan Township found that out. He was shot as he arrived home to find the suspect in his house. The suspect then stole his 1995 black Ford Thunderbird, which investigators say he may still be driving.

Vance said the 54-year-old man was still in critical condition in a drug-induced coma at University Hospital in Cincinnati as of Thursday. The victim's family has asked that his identity be withheld.

Anybody who sees Gajdik or has information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Dearborn County Sheriff's Department at (812) 537-3431 or the Special Crimes Unit at (812) 537-3571.

LINKS:

Person Of Interest In Logan Shooting

North Dearborn Elem. On Lockdown Wednesday

Gunman On The Loose, Community On High Alert

Shooting Suspect On The Run

Search Continues For Burglary Suspect