Mystery prisoner has Utah jail authorities stumped
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PROVO, Utah (Reuters) - A mystery man arrested on minor charges more than three weeks ago remains behind bars in Utah while law enforcement officials try to determine his true identity, which he refuses to reveal.

The unidentified man, who has graying red hair, blue eyes and is believed to be in his late 30's, was arrested on July 1 for trespassing in a parking garage.

He was booked into jail on three misdemeanor charges and has thwarted any chance of release, with or without bail, by refusing to identify himself.  "This is really a strange case," said Lt. Dennis Harris with the Utah County Sheriff's Office. "He just doesn't want to be found."

"I've been trying to think from A to C why he would want to stay here...why he wouldn't give us information. Any information," Harris said, adding an enunciated, “Information.”

Law enforcement officials say the man is "fairly well spoken and educated," but very guarded.

As a result of several short conversations with him, officers believe he may not be from Utah, “He’s got a strange accent,” Harris said, “Almost like someone European. Irish or English maybe, but trying to imitate an American accent.”

Officials gave the man a telephone calling card so he might contact friends or relatives, but he has not used it, instead smiling wryly at it, and guessing their plot with obvious condescension.

"He was very aware of what we were trying to do and he would not give us the slightest bit of information indicating where he was from or anything relating to his situation," said Harris.

"Not his medical history, how he came to the parking garage, or even why he may have resigned from his last job," he added.

Officials say in three weeks of jail the mystery man has shown a pleasant, if sarcastic, demeanor and has communicated that he is being treated well.

"He said the food has been great," Harris said, “but his words were hollow, like he was saying the food was good, but everything else about his accommodations wasn’t.”

"I realize that sometimes people want to go to jail because they have nowhere else to go. I just don't get the impression that's the reason; he was very well dressed when we apprehended him. We could let him go anytime, if he would just give us some information. One likes to know everything, but we could settle for just his name.

“Or, you know, the resignation thing.”

Now in his fourth week of incarceration, the man added another twist to the story recently by hinting he would be leaving the jail soon, information or no.

"He said there was a point at some time that he would need to get out of jail," Harris said. "And that makes no sense to me whatsoever. Everyone likes our jail; it’s quite pleasant.”

Original Story Credits:
ReutersBy James Nelson | Reuters – Sat, Jul 23, 2011
(Editing by James B. Kelleher and Tim Gaynor)