Gallery: Tracking down the Times Square bomb suspect
All it took was a little hard work and patience - in four days FBI investigators were able to track down and arrest - from traces left behind by modern day technology - a man accused of planting a car bomb in New York City's Time Square. Surveillance photos show the suspect holding a briefcase in Times Square as he was setting up the attempted bombing. (left in the left photo and right in the right photo).Credit: FBI
The suspect is Faisal Shahzad, a 30-year-old U.S. citizen of Pakistani descent. He was arrested at JFK Airport at 11:45pm on Monday as he was preparing to board a flight to Dubai. Here's his photo from Okrut.com.
Investigators found that the vehicle identification number (VIN) on the dashboard of the 1993 Nissan Pathfinder had been removed. But that's not the only place to find the VIN. According to AutohauzAz.com it can be found: Left side of dash (thru windshield), front left floor panel, right inner fender, right strut housing, firewall, and engine block.
FBI agents discovered that the vehicle had been sold three weeks ago on Craigslist. The former owner said the buyer paid cash.
From the Craiglsist seller investigators were able to track down the prepaid cell phone which was allegedly owned and used by Shahzad. He had disposed of the phone but agents were able to track him down from databases that recorded his calls.
Shahzad was identified by the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Customs and Border Protection while attempting to take a flight to Dubai. He was arrested at JFK Airport and charged with allegedly driving a car bomb into Times Square on May 1.
Credit: Matt Coleman, FBI