State and federal law enforcement authorities continue their manhunt for a felon after he narrowly eluded capture Friday near Moniteau High School in northern Butler County.

State Police in Butler believe 45-year-old Kevin L. McFadden of Emlenton may have stolen a car near the school in Cherry Township to aid his escape.

His getaway followed a more than seven-hour search near the school on Route 308. Police used the Moniteau complex as a staging area for the search between 1:30 and 9 p.m.

Numerous troopers participated in the operation that employed tracking dogs and a police helicopter.

“The National Crime and Information Center lists him as armed and dangerous,” police Lt. Eric Hermick said this morning.

McFadden has a history of violent crimes including those against police.

Last year, according to court records, he rammed a police cruiser before leading officers on a high-speed chase in southern Mercer County.

His criminal record spans Mercer, Butler and Lawrence counties and includes felony convictions for fleeing police and drug possession.

The U.S. Marshal’s Service and sheriff’s offices in Mercer and Lawrence counties are seeking McFadden on bench warrants stemming from last year’s chase and police assault, and other crimes.

Marshal’s agents reportedly spotted McFadden driving a Chevrolet Suburban sometime Friday near a strip mine in Slippery Rock Township.

They gave chase but at some point lost him. State police in Butler were notified and assisted in the search.

Later, troopers about 3:30 p.m. found the Suburban in a field along Pleasant Valley Road near Moniteau High School.

Hermick said it appeared McFadden had driven the vehicle there in his bid to elude police.

Investigators don’t know if he had stolen the Suburban, which had a license plate of a vehicle that was previously scrapped.

While hunting for the suspect, police learned that a four-door sedan had been stolen from a home on Moniteau Road in Cherry Township, about one-half mile west of where the initial foot search began.

Police said it’s a “strong likelihood” that McFadden is the car thief.

“The car was unlocked and the keys were in the ignition,” Hermick said.

The stolen vehicle is described as a dark blue, 1996 Volvo 850 Series model.

McFadden is described as white, between 5 feet, 9 inches and 5 feet, 10 inches tall, and heavy set, possibly weighing 280 pounds or more.

Anyone with information is asked to call state police at 724-284-8100, or 911.