Officials then tracked Sweat and closed in on him over the next few hours. CNN reported around 7:30 p.m. ET that authorities were "right on top" of him as nightfall approached.

But at a news conference around 8:45 p.m., Gov. Andrew Cuomo said authorities were not sure where Sweat was located.

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According to The Associated Press, Matt and Sweat, 34, cut steam pipes with power tools to escape from the maximum-security prison late June 5 or early June 6. Officials discovered the men were missing the morning of June 6.