Faqs

I see an RIMW case when I use a search engine, but it not appear on the site

Please refer to our DISCLAIMER

Can I see pages of people who have already been identified and captured?

Yes, click on "Captures" at the top of any page. When captured, a thumbnail is highlighted in red and CAPTURED will be at bottom of photo. Those identified, but not captured, will be highlighted in blue with IDENTIFIED at the bottom of the photo.

Can I check the site for people fitting a particular description?

Yes. Using the drop-downs on the left of the screen, select the complexion, height, build and gender you wish and then click "Begin Search". You can also use the "Type of Crime" choices to define your search even more. For instance, if you are a police officer who has just arrested a heavy-set white woman for robbing a bank, search by the appropriate "Type of Crime", "Build", "Complexion" and "Gender" to see if you can spot her robbing other banks previous to your arrest.

How do I search for a specific crime category?

Click on the "Type of Crime" drop-down and select from the list. The site will display photos of suspects who have committed the type of crime you have selected. . You can also use the key words or case number in the “Keyword/Case #” box to search for a specific case. By using a specific keyword, all cases with that keyword will be displayed.

I see someone I think I recognize but need a second opinion.

Click on the thumbnail to select a larger photo and more information about the case. Click on "Mail This Case to a Friend" and type your friend's e-mail address in the box.

Can I provide a tip for a crime committed but not posted on this site?

Yes, by contacting the law enforcement agency for where the crime occurred, click on "Submit Feedback", or by sending an e-mail to: [email protected] and information will be forwarded to the appropriate agency.

What if I see a thumbnail of someone I recognize?

Each case posting bears the telephone number of the police officer or federal agent handling the investigation. You may either call them, or you can send an e-mail by clicking on "Report a Tip" in the Toolbox. All emails are sent directly to the investigating officer or agent.

How do I find out more about a case I see posted?

To view a larger version of the photograph or to learn more about the crime, click on the thumbnail. Each case page contains the type of offense, date, and city or town where the crime occurred. You will also see the suspect's physical description, a summary of the crime, and the name and telephone number of the detective or agent investigating the case.

How should I use the site?

If you are visiting for the first time, take a look at the suspect photos that appear on the front page. Flip to the second page by clicking on the right arrow or the next page number at the top right of the screen. Each page of the site contains fifteen thumbnail photographs of unidentified suspects. The type of crime the suspect has committed is always listed with each photograph, along with a case number assigned by the Rhode Island Most Wanted site. The top row of the front page always contains the most recent cases. If you navigate to the web site and the front page has not changed since the last time you checked it, simply refresh the page. We encourage law enforcement officers to check the front page of the site frequently. In fact, many detectives have made it their home page so they remember to look at it each morning. We also encourage bank managers and security officers to check the routinely for information about suspects working their area. You can make this site your home page by clicking on the "Make RIMW My Home Page" button

What does Booking Room Print View on the front page mean?

Law enforcement agencies are encouraged to physically post submissions from the Rhode Island Most Wanted web site in their booking rooms and cell blocks, in hopes that someone being booked will recognize one of them. Use the drop-downs to narrow your search and then click on "Booking Room Print View".

I am a law enforcement officer who submitted a case. Will I be contacted regarding my submission?

Yes. You may be contacted to verify your submission, update, or capture. Also, approximately every 6 months, a "NAG Reminder" will automatically be forwarded to the e-mail addresses entered in the submission in an effort to keep each case current and accurate. Normally, cases are carried on the site for approximately 3 years. Although we may pull cases down that are no longer current, search engines such as Google and Yahoo may continue to make these specific web page cases available (cache) for some time. RIMW has no control over this.

I am a law enforcement officer who posted a case on the web site and now the suspect has been apprehended. Should I do anything further?

Yes. We ask agencies who submit cases to promptly notify us after an apprehension is made so we can keep the case current. Locate your case on the web site and click on it. In the Law Enforcement Only area near the bottom, click on "Report a capture", and fill in the information about the arrest. Captured suspects are left on the site and are highlighted in red as CAPTURED. We keep the photos of captured subjects posted since it allows detectives to link old cases to recently identified suspects.

I am a law enforcement officer who would like to have more than one e-mail address included when submitting a crime for tip notifications. Is this possible and who can view the submitted e-mail addresses?

Yes. After typing in the first e-mail address, type a semi-colon, and then type the next e-mail address. The e-mail address is only seen by the Fusion Center staff who manage the site. Only official government or business emails will be accepted. All tips sent in on your case using the RI Most Wanted site are automatically forwarded directly to the submitting law enforcement officer's official business email. It is imperative to make sure at least 1 email is included in your submission since all tips on cases come into the site and are sent directly to your official email.

I am a law enforcement officer who posted a case, and now have additional information I would like to have posted on the web site.

Locate your case on the web site and click on it. In the Law Enforcement Only area near the bottom, click on "Send an Update" and then follow the instructions. If you are now identifying your suspect(s), they will be highlighted in blue as IDENTIFIED.

I am a law enforcement officer who is having problems submitting a case and would like assistance in submitting a case. Who do I contact?

Contact the RIMW staff at the Fusion Center by calling (401) 444-1117 Mon-Thurs 8AM to 6PM, Fri 8AM to 5PM. For urgent matters after business hours, call Rhode Island State Police (401) 444-1117 or [email protected] and a Fusion Center staff member will be contacted.

I am a law enforcement officer and want to submit a case

1. First, you will need an image taken of the suspect committing the crime. DO NOT edit any photos before making submission. RIMW staff will crop photos to necessary size for posting. Photos lose resolution each time they are cropped. Depending on file type, the RIMW staff will attempt to reformat what is sent in your submission. 2. Include a brief summary of the incident in the narrative area. You may reference other RIMW postings on the site and use them as a guide. 3. Include the specific physical address where the crime occurred along with the business name when applicable, what was taken along with a description, basic suspect and vehicle descriptions, and as much additional information you feel may be beneficial. RIMW staff members will then proof each narrative for the appropriate content prior to post. 4. Then click on "Submit a Case" at the top of the page and then follow the instructions. Include information that may assist in the identification of the subject, such as a scar that may not show up on the photo. However, do not include sensitive information about the subject or incident, such as language used in a robbery note, that may jeopardize the investigation or cause the subject to alter his modus operandi. If the subject was armed, or if the crime was particularly violent, a line urging caution should be included.

Does Rhode Island Most Wanted accept photos of wanted persons?

The site is designed primarily for the identification of unknown suspects. We normally do not post composites, sketches, or videos, but will make exceptions depending on the case. In such cases, you will need to contact the RI Fusion Center directly. We post photos of wanted suspects ONLY in cases of violent crimes where there is a danger to officers and/or public safety or a suspect involved in any type sex offense.

Who runs Rhode Island Most Wanted site?

The web site is managed by the Rhode Island State Police - Rhode Island State Fusion Center.

Can anyone submit a case to the Rhode Island Most Wanted web site?

NO! Only members of Law Enforcement can make crime submissions. The IP address of submitting parties are recorded. A person making a false entry could be construed as making a false police report. The Rhode Island Most Wanted site managers will accept surveillance photographs of unidentified subjects ONLY from all federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, or from a banking institution conducting an investigation in conjunction with a law enforcement agency. Cases are screened prior to being posted. NOTE: RIMW staff reserve the right to deny the posting of ANY routine misdemeanor case unless the submitting agency can stipulate that a suspect or suspects are involved in related crimes or the incident involved force or violence. eg: shoplifting cases, cell phone thefts, etc.

What is Rhode Island Most Wanted?

The Rhode Island Most Wanted (RIMW) web site was created in April of 2005 to aid in the identification of unknown suspects by publishing photographs taken during crimes. Although we receive some photos of suspects whose identities are known, and occasionally receive sketches, we are designed for the posting of surveillance images. The RIMW staff are members of the Rhode Island State Fusion Center. They include sworn members of the Rhode Island State Police and retired law enforcement officers employed as intelligence analysts.