Anatomy of a "manhunt"
Last evening a "reverse 911" robocall comes in from the local police warning about a black male (my neighborhood is 99% white) in the immediate area who is running from the cops and considered armed and dangerous. The call continued saying not to try and apprehend the man, but to call the police. No one knows what to think, but better safe than sorry so we all lock doors, garages and cars.
A local facebook group that follows county news alerts posts about this incident and residents post about a state police helicopter circling the area where the male was last spotted. Local police are out, too, searching along with k-9 dog. In subsequent facebook posts, someone states the male is a "murderer" from Detroit. Another posts that the suspect has stabbed someone while on the run.
I am thinking that this sounds a little more serious than the run-of-mill shoplifting at the local Walmart that makes up the bulk of crime around here. I check the local paper for breaking news figuring something that merits a "reverse 911" call should be posted with a breaking news headline. Nothing. I watch the local news and, again, nothing. Something is wrong with this picture...
One of the facebook posts has a link to the local police facebook page and a new post there saying "the rumors" about a murderer on the loose are completely false. There's a guy on the run, but he's not a murderer and he's only "possibly armed". Ok, then... but no other information. Everyone is still confused if they should continue to be concerned.
This morning there's an updated post on the local police page with more information. It turns out the state police tried to pull the guy over for a traffic violation (all cops are out in force all over the local roads this weekend). He drives away, but abandons the car and takes off into a wooded area. Local cops are sorry but say they had no other info from state cops thus the robo alert. The search has apparently concluded with a successful escape.
Facebook post
We (local cops) would like to apologize for the confusion, frustration and lack of information made available with this incident by our agency, the State Police, and County Dispatch. It seems that a false rumor has been circulating that a murder had been committed and a "murderer" was on the loose in our area. This is not accurate. I will provide all information that we currently know.
Earlier this afternoon, the State Police attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation. The driver fled on foot in the area of Woodland rd. into a wooded area. We were advised that the suspect was "possibly" armed. This is why residence recieved the reverse 911 notification of "possibly armed and dangerous." With this information, we felt that the community needed and deserved to be notified immediately. State police along with our agency set up a perimeter in the area and the state brought in their helicopter to assist with the search along with a police K-9. The suspect was not located. These actions were taken because the suspect at large and was believed to be armed somewhere in our community. We attempted to extinguish all possible resources to apprehend the suspect for the safety of the community. Officers preformed a heavy saturation patrol in the area attempting to locate the suspect for many hours. (This is why unfortunately no updates were made available. Officers still only had the initial information of what was sent in the alert notification and the suspect was not apprehended) The state police initiated this incident and are conducting the investigation.( Local) Police were acting as an assisting agency. From what I understand, the State Police have identified the suspect. It is unknown to us why the driver fled. We are hoping the State Police will release more information as they further investigate. If we receive any further information from the state besides the little information we have now, we will update you all.
We posted a very brief and vague update notifying of the false information of a murder being committed and a murderer at large immediately after recieving knowledge of said rumor in attempts to stop that rumor from spreading any further. This post was updated with all the information when made available to us. We would like to thank you all for your patients and understanding.
= new reply since forum marked as read
