A man in Providence Rhode Island named John became an unlikely hero when his observant nature and quick thinking helped crack a major investigation that had stumped law enforcement for five days. John noticed something odd about a man’s behavior near Brown University campus including inappropriate clothing for December weather and suspicious circling around a gray Nissan with Florida plates which prompted him to post details on the Providence subreddit saying I’m being dead serious the police need to look into this rental car. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha praised John saying he blew this case right open after the Reddit post led investigators to review surveillance footage locate the vehicle through a network of 70 street cameras operated by Flock Safety and ultimately identify the suspect they had been searching for desperately. When police released photos Wednesday of a person they wanted to talk to John came forward within an hour approaching Providence officers and providing a detailed interview that connected all the pieces investigators needed to solve the case by Thursday night.
John’s sharp observation skills came from paying close attention to his surroundings during what he called a game of cat and mouse with the suspicious man who kept looping back and switching directions every time they made eye contact. The FBI said John would logically be entitled to the 50,000 dollar reward offered for information though the bureau maintains policy not to confirm tipster identities or reward payments to protect privacy and ensure future public cooperation. John posted on Reddit that he had said all he needed to say to the right people and his humble heroism proves that everyday citizens paying attention to unusual behavior can make all the difference when law enforcement needs help protecting communities.
