Wanted Man Becomes Involved In Bizarre Social Media Exchange With Police

You wouldn't think an appeal for a wanted man would be the most obvious source of comedy gold, but it turns out it definitely can be.

In October, a police search for a beer thief in Blackpool, UK, went viral due to the suspect's uncanny resemble with Ross Geller; even Ross himself ended up getting involved in the manhunt.

Now another wanted man is bringing smiles to faces across the globe, after police shared his mugshot on their Facebook page.

Richland WA Police Department, in Washington, USA, posted a picture of Anthony Akers on 28 November as part of their regular 'Wanted Wednesday' feature (seemingly even the police are trivialising the search for missing criminals these days).

But say what you like about the concept of 'Wanted Wednesday', it was damn effective on this occasion, with Akers himself commenting on the post.

The 38-year-old, who was wanted for failing to comply with the terms of his probation, said: "Calm down, I'm going to turn myself in."

Facebook/Richland WA Police Department

The comment has received more than 4,300 reactions on Facebook, but it escalated further from there, after Akers didn't show up at the station.

The police subsequently offered to assist with Akers' turning in by volunteering to give him a lift to the station.

Responding on Facebook, Richland WA Police Department said: "Hey Anthony! We haven't seen you yet. Our business hours are 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. Of course if you need a ride you can call non-emergency (509-628-0333) and we will pick you up."

Akers turned down the offer of a 'lift', but assured the department he would be down there soon.

He said: "Richland WA Police Department thank you, tying up a couple loose ends since i will probably be in there for a month. Should be in there in the next 48 hours."

By this point, thousands of people had become engrossed by the bizarre 'hunt', if you can call it that.

Two days passed and one of the hunt's many captivated audience members asked the force whether Akers had turned himself in, to which the police replied - 'he has not'.

Evidently sensing the toughening of the police's tone, Akers took the opportunity to reply in rom-com fashion.

He said: "Dear RPD, its not you, its me. I obviously have commitment issues. I apologise for standing you up, but let me make it up to you.

"I will be there no later then lunchtime tomorrow, I know you have no reason to believe me after what i did to you, but I promise that if i don't make it on my own by lunchtime tomorrow I will call for a ride to assist me with my commitment issues. Thank you in advance to your response if you are patiently giving me another chance with us, I know i don't deserve it.

"P.S. You're beautiful."

But if there's one thing we all know about Akers by this point, it's that he doesn't do what he says he will (hence he featured on 'Wanted Wednesday' in the first place).

After being stood up once again by Akers, the police were forced to share their first ever 'Morose Monday' post.

The post read: "Morose Monday. Dear Anthony, is it us? Last Wednesday we reached out to you as 'wanted'. You replied and even said you were going to turn yourself in. We waited, but you didn't show.

"After you stood us up, we reached out again- this time offering you a ride. You replied and said you needed 48 hours. The weekend came and went. We are beginning to think you are not coming. Please call us anytime and we will come to you. 509-628-0333."

The police didn't need to come to him though, because on Tuesday, almost a full week after the original post, Akers handed himself in - even sharing a selfie as proof.

Facebook/Anthony Akers

Speaking to BuzzFeed News, Richland Police Sgt. Drew Florence confirmed Akers had handed himself in.

He said: "It is good to get engaged with the community, even those who are wanted."

NEXT WEEK ON 'WANTED WEDNESDAY': Officers become embroiled in a hilarious hunt for a man with a dark criminal past, but an excellent knack for engaging social media posts. Will the force get stood up again, or will police be left wanting no more? Tune in Wednesday to find out.

Topics: Viral, Police, US News

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey