RICH SQUARE – An intensive manhunt, on the ground and in the air, came up empty here Thursday.

Devon Bowser, 20, of Murfreesboro remains on the run. He is wanted on 12 felony charges, all weapons related according to Rich Square Police Chief Bo Roye.

“We may have missed out today, but it wasn’t due to a lack of effort,” said Roye. “He’ll surface somewhere along the line and we’ll be waiting.”

Roye said the incident began at around 8 a.m. Thursday when a Northampton County Sheriff’s Deputy spotted a vehicle matching the description of one that Bowser was believed to be a passenger.

“When the deputy made the traffic stop on that vehicle, he could only see one person, the driver, in the car,” Roye said. “As the deputy approached the vehicle from one side, Mr. Bowser slipped out the other side and ran.”

That began the ensuing manhunt, one that included law enforcement officers, to include K-9’s, from the Northampton Sheriff’s Office, Hertford County Sheriff’s Office, Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, Southampton County (VA) Sheriff’s Office, and every municipal police department in Northampton County. The Virginia State Patrol sent a helicopter to search for Bowser from the air.

Roye said on at least two occasions, citizens called to report possibly seeing Bowser.

“We sent teams of officers to those locations, but there was no sign of Mr. Bowser,” Roye said.

He added that Bowser is considered “armed and dangerous.” Those knowing his whereabouts are urged to call the Rich Square Police at 252-539-2315, or the Northampton Sheriff’s Office at 252-534-2611.

Bowser is described as a black male, standing 5’-8” and weighing approximately 160 pounds. His last known address is 151 Vann’s Gin Road, Murfreesboro.