Yes that’s the only explanation, the interview of the one guy there that day who met the description of bridge guy was put in a pile that wasn’t read for almost 6 years!
It’s baffling.
The tip sheet was created based on a officer’s interview of Allen in
2017.
Then they
finally did a second interview on October 16, 2022.
In that interview he basically described himself as bridge guy and they got a search warrant!
Quoting the affidavit: bbm
“Investigators reviewing prior tips
encountered a tip narrative from an officer who interviewed Richard M Allen in 2017. That narrative stated:
Mr. Allen was on the trail between 1330-1530. He parked at the old Farm Bureau building and walked to the new Freedom Bridge. While at the Freedom Bridge he saw three females. He noted one was taller and had brown or black hair. He did not remember the description nor did he speak with them. He walked from the Freedom Bridge to the High Bridge. He did not see anybody, although he stated he was watching a stock ticker on his phone as he walked. He stated there were vehicles parked at the High Bridge trail head, however did not pay attention to them. He did not take any photos or video.
…
On October 13 2022 Richard Allen was interviewed again by investigators. He advised he was on the trails on February 13,2017. He stated he saw juvenile girls on the trails east of Freedom Bridge and that he went on to the Monon High Bridge. Richard Allen further stated he went out on to the Monon High Bridge to watch the fish. Later in his statement, he said he walked out to the first platform on the bridge. He stated he then walked back, sat on a bench on the trail and then left. He stated he parked his car on the side of an old building.
He told investigators that he was wearing blue jeans and a blue or black Carhartt jacket with a hood. He advised he may have been wearing some other head covering as well. He further claimed he saw no one else except for the juvenile girls he saw east of the Freedom Bridge. He told investigators that he owns firearms and they are at his home.
Richard Allen Probable Cause Affidavit