Conn. fugitive gets his 15,000 Facebook likes, but where is he?
TORRINGTON — Police created a media sensation when a lieutenant posted on Facebook that a wanted man would turn himself in if he received 15,000 likes, but as of Thursday morning Jose Simms was still nowhere to be found, dispatchers said.
“He has not turned himself in,” said the dispatcher who was asked to field the calls because so many media outlets are asking about Simms.
The 29-year-old’s notoriety blossomed Wednesday when Lt. Brett Johnson who mans the department’s Facebook page posted that Simms would turn himself in if his wanted poster received 15,000 likes.
Simms is wanted on seven failure to appear warrants because he didn’t show up for several court cases in February on breach of peace, risk of injury and assault charges. He contacted Johnson via Facebook Messenger last week and struck a deal with the lieutenant that he would turn himself in if his “wanted” Facebook post received
15,000 likes.
Johnson posted Simms’ information early Wednesday morning, asking people to like and share.
He included a comical reference to “The Office,” a television show known for ironic humor. Within hours the post went viral with more than 1,000 people commenting, 4,000 people sharing and
21,000 people liking the post by 5 a.m. this morning.
“Liked & shared...it’s most likely one of the craziest requests I’ve liked, but for you who risk your lives everyday to keep each and every one of us safe, I thank you for your service. Hopefully he’s a man of his word #stopdrugs,” said one woman.
Others criticized the department saying it was giving a wanted man undue attention. “I cannot believe we are helping a criminal get attention, fame, and notoriety for bad behavior. This is nuts,” said another woman.
Some people followed the post throughout the day and commented on the number of likes as it grew.
The post included the information that police were also looking for Kristopher Waananen, who has outstanding motor vehicle and failure to appear warrants.
As of Thursday morning, Simms had not been in contact with Torrington police, a dispatcher said. Johnson said Wednesday that police believed he was somewhere in New York.
Waananen also has not been found, dispatchers said.