Would the escaped prisoners have been found earlier if the New York State Police had read Gawker two weeks ago? It’s hard to say for sure of course, but yeah, probably.

Fifteen days ago the cops had no clue where the prisoners were. But we did, thanks to a savvy tipster named Manny who told us we were looking in the wrong place: the ground.

THE ONLY PLACE THE 2 ESCAPED CONVICTS COULD BE IS IN A TREE HOUSE STOCKED WITH PROVISIONS. AT THIS TIME OF YEAR THE DENSITY OF THE TREES COULD HIDE ANYTHING.

Manny

And guess what! He was totally right. David Sweat—now back in custody—is singing like a bird. (A bird who was, not too long ago, hiding in a tree.)

Escaped prisoner David Sweat told investigators he was almost discovered twice during the three weeks authorities were searching the woods of upstate New York for him and fellow inmate Richard Matt — including one time that police walked right by him as he hid in a hunting tree stand, officials said.

Damn.

Image by Sam Biddle. Contact the author at gabrielle@gawker.com.