BLOOMINGBURG — Jarrett Heitmann, the armed fugitive who along with girlfriend Makayla Danielle Stilwell are wanted in Tennessee on charges of kidnapping and attempted murder, identifies himself on Facebook as "Jarret Thepirate." Online research has revealed that his father is Jerome Heitmann, who graduated from Pine Bush High School in 1986.

Investigator John Vendy, with Troop F of the New York State Police (NYSP) in Wurtsboro, confirmed Monday that there is a relative in Pine Bush.

"It does make sense," Vendy said. "We believe they (the fugitives) went to that location to get help from a family member." He added that State Police in Wurtsboro were notified the fugitives were in the area after their car with Tennessee plates was reported abandoned on Awosting Road in Pine Bush. "The police were notified that they were in that area ... there was a response to search for them ... and that investigation is ongoing," Vendy said.

Jarrett Heitmann's Facebook page under the assumed name is connected to his father's page. The male fugitive's page also connects to the Facebook page of Stilwell, and the couple both state they have been in a relationship since January 1 of this year.

The Facebook pages of "Jarret Thepirate" and Makayla Danielle (Stilwell) also include comments about being a "gangster" (Stilwell) and being on parole (Heitmann).

Attempts to reach Jerome Heitmann directly were unsuccessful but his relationship with the suspect was confirmed by Jarret's stepmother, Sherry Heitmann.

"Yes it is Jerome," Heitmann confirmed early Monday when asked if he was Jarrett Heitmann's father. "And he is utterly sick over this and what our family is going through. We were led to believe that the murder / suicide in (Upper) Saucon township was them until the next day when I looked it up online. No-one notified us about it. This is a travesty."

Sherry Heitmann revealed, "I am Jarret's stepmom. We also want this to end peacefully. We can't answer any questions on the case, and are not really being kept updated by the police. We have offered to help end this peacefully when they find him. He came from a very good family and upbringing. I have known him for over five years now and have never saw (sic) or heard him get violent with anyone. This is so out of character for him. I don't know his gf [girlfriend], but from what I hear none of his friends like her. Thank you for your concern. He's not the monster they are making him out to be.”

The Facebook pages of the suspects provide some insight into their mindsets, and include comments on gangsters, and being a “pirate on parole.”

On June 20th, the pair allegedly kidnapped a woman and shot a man in Kingsport, TN, which triggered a manhunt by Sullivan County (TN) Police and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

The fugitives have been spotted in Pine Bush and possibly in Bloomingburg, where there was a still unidentified couple that broke into a home that is part of the Lake Altamont Association, terrorized the victim and stole multiple guns. Vendy said they have not yet confirmed that the Bloomingburg incident is tied to the Tennessee fugitives.

But the suspects were confirmed to have been seen over the weekend in the Port Jervis area and the last confirmed sighting at press time was at a Wal-Mart in Matamoras, PA at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday.

NYSP are asking the public to report any information to them in Middletown at 845-344-5300 or Wurtsboro at 845-888-2494.