September 07, 2015
With the help of a SEPTA rider using Twitter, SEPTA’s Police Chief Thomas Nestel and the transit police were able to catch a suspected drug user within minutes on Sunday night.
The rider tweeted that he saw a person doing drugs on the Market-Frankford El, according to CBSPhilly.
Nestel responded to the tweet and learned the location of the suspect, who was quickly apprehended at 34th Street.
Where is the train now? https://t.co/Oze9PVLb8k
— Thomas J. Nestel III (@TNestel3) September 7, 2015
Description of offender? https://t.co/Oze9PVLb8k
— Thomas J. Nestel III (@TNestel3) September 7, 2015
Thank you. We got him at 34th Street! https://t.co/aSsP8HAvX4
— Thomas J. Nestel III (@TNestel3) September 7, 2015
The response was in a matter of minutes. Nestel said the time between when the sighting was reported to when SEPTA police made contact with the suspect was only eight minutes.
Nope. That was the fastest. Quick reporting and good info. I love when riders help the Transit Police! https://t.co/STgqU90896
— Thomas J. Nestel III (@TNestel3) September 7, 2015
Now, the goal is to get the offender help, Nestel said.
Likelihood of involvement in crime is higher due to the addiction. If we can get him into rehab, > chance of success https://t.co/Oxk9MjlOa2
— Thomas J. Nestel III (@TNestel3) September 7, 2015
According to Nestel, pending further investigation, the suspect's charges could span from a warning to possession of narcotics.
