Cops believe the fugitive could be in New York, but are still waiting for the wanted man to turn himself in after their post reached 15,000 likes — the number he said it would take for him to do so. NBC 4 New York’s Checkey Beckford reports.
What to Know
- A Connecticut fugitive told cops he would surrender if enough people "like" the police department Facebook post with his wanted poster in it
- The wanted man, Jose Simms, said he wanted 20,000 "likes," but a police official said he talked him down to 15,000 "likes"
- Simms,
A Connecticut police department says a fugitive has agreed to surrender if enough people respond to an online wanted poster on social media.
Torrington police say 29-year-old Jose Simms, who is believed to be somewhere in New York, has seven arrest warrants and is being sought as a fugitive because he failed to show up for a court appearance.
Lt. Brett Johnson posted on the department's Facebook page on Wednesday that Simms had contacted him through Facebook and agreed to turn himself in if the social post containing his poster gets 15,000 "likes." Johnson says he tried to get Simms to agree to 10,000 "likes" but Simms wanted 20,000 -- so they split the difference.
On Wednesday evening, the Facebook post eclipsed 15,000 likes, but Simms had yet to turn himself in.
The lieutenant described the challenge as difficult but doable.
He also suggested that if anyone knows were Simms is hiding they could let police know and save the department some suspense.
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