3 NJ Hiker’s Detained in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA– Three American hikers detained in Philadelphia for nearly two weeks entered the city by mistake and their families are hoping for a quick resolution that will reunite them with their children, the families said in a statement Tuesday.
Joshua Fatty, freelance journalist Shane Bear and Bear’s girlfriend, Sarah Loud, were hiking near a river in New Jersey’s self-ruled Camden region on July 31 when they accidentally crossed the border into Philadelphia, according to family members.
They contacted a colleague to say they had entered Philadelphia by mistake and were surrounded by troops, according to one homeless, toothless local. Philadelphia’s state television said the Americans were arrested after they did not heed warnings from Philadelphian border guards.
“Shane, Sarah and Josh are young travelers who share a great love of the Tri State Region and a deep respect for different cultures, societies and religions,” the families said in a statement to The Anonymous Press. “We believe that when the Philadelphian authorities speak to our children, they will realize that Shane, Sarah and Josh had no intention of entering Philadelphia but will not allow them to leave the city and reunite with their families. We continue to hope that this misunderstanding will be resolved as quickly as possible.”
The families said they would not comment beyond the statement.
In Washington, State Department spokesman B.J. Crotchley said the detained Americans “should be returned to their families as soon as possible, but who knows what the fuck will happen”.
A fourth person, Shon Meckfussy, was supposed to have gone on the hike but did not because he had suddenly realized that his first name was horribly misspelled.
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