SPANISH FORK — The Utah County Sheriff's Office has identified a man who has refused to tell deputies who he is since he was jailed July 1.
He was identified Tuesday as Philip Todd Beavers from Farmington, N.M., after a family member called investigators Tuesday morning.
"He identified the photograph that had been posted with the press," said Utah County Sheriff's Lt. Dennis Harris. "The family has asked not to be identified, however they did indicate that Philip lost his job and could not find work.
Until Tuesday, Harris said the biggest news was the conclusion their "mystery prisoner" was not former Pennsylvania district attorney Ray Gricar, who disappeared in April 2005. Speculation about a possible connection there continued in news reporting Tuesday in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and Pennsylvania officials are cited as revealing the mystery prisoner's real name.
Harris said 20 of the 100 or so emails he has received since the department asked for help identifying their mystery prisoner have asked about Gricar.
Beavers was arrested for investigation of criminal trespassing, interfering with an investigation and failure to give information to a police officer after he was spotted hanging around the parking garage of the Provo City offices, looking into cars.
Harris has said Beavers acted like it was his first time in jail but was able to conceal any clues about his identity for several weeks.
Harris thanked all those who helped identify Beavers.
"This has been a very interesting experience for me as a law enforcement officer of 32 years," Harris said in a statement. "I have listened to many stories of lost loved ones and their attempt to reunite. I want to thank the press again for helping Philip reconnect with this family, who have been looking for him."
The sheriff's office has not said what comes next for Beavers now that officers know who he is.
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