Hewett said he's hopeful the woman can be found alive six days after she last was seen.
The two men and Alice Donovan were seen at a gas station at the town ofShallotte about 4 p.m. on Nov. 14. That's the day Donovan waskidnapped.
The men were seen later that night near the town of Bolivia andlater back in South Carolina, but without the woman.
More than 100 people and several aircraft have been searchingbetween Wilmington and Shallotte since Monday. The sheriff said heis hopeful the kidnap victim can be found alive.
Hewett wouldn't disclose any evidence that led to thesearch.
Meanwhile, the FBI said Wednesday that both men who escaped are back injail after a multi-state crime spree.
The FBI said Chadrick Fulks was caughttoday in northern Indiana. Details aren't available.
The other fugitive - Branden Basham - was arrested Sunday inKentucky after police say he tried to steal a woman's car.
The men escaped Nov. 4.
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