An Idaho fugitive was caught after he invited his friends on Facebook to join him at batting practice. Caldwell police officers showed up at the softball field after seeing the post on social media and arrested 22-year-old Joey Patterson, according to The Herald of Everett. He was wanted on a felony warrant for violating his probation on a fraud case out of Twin Falls.
Patterson was booked into Canyon County Jail, where he is being held without bond.
The Idaho fugitive was caught within hours of the online post. Caldwell Police Sgt. Joey Hoadley says police often use social media to track down a fugitive. Hoadley says “even fugitives can’t keep from updating their Facebook status, and it leads to some great arrests.”
The suspect updated his Facebook status Saturday afternoon, saying he was headed to batting practice at the softball field at the Armory Softball Field, and inviting others to join him. That’s when Patterson got more company than he bargained for when officers showed up at the field and took him into custody, according to WPIX. He was in shock.
The Idaho fugitive was caught and arrested on the field. Police Sgt. Joey Hoadley said using social media to track down a fugitive was not that unusual. “We keep a close eye on that stuff,” he said. “Surprisingly, even fugitives can’t keep from updating their Facebook status, and it leads to some great arrests.”
Patterson had a nationwide extradition felony arrest warrant for violating conditions of his probation. Police say they found Patterson at the softball field around 5:15 p.m. Saturday, and said he looked confused, notes Atlanta Journal Constitution.
There was another Idaho fugitive incident that involved Nick Grove who taunted police on his Facebook page from Mexico. The postings eventually led to his arrest. The 27-year-old claimed he was living in Cancun, but authorities said it was just a ploy.
