A female associate of 19-year-old Afrikka Hardy, referred to by police as the ‘facilitator,’ was texting with Hardy during her encounter with Vann at a motel last weekend. Hammond police chief John Doughty said at some point the facilitator became worried and contacted the police.
“Information was obtained from the facilitator that revealed a phone number that the Hammond police detectives were able to use to help locate the suspect,” Doughty announced at a press conference earlier this week.
That tip eventually led to Vann’s arrest in Gary the next day.
According to court documents at least two of Vann’s seven alleged victims were sex workers. Authorities say Vann targeted another prostitute in Texas in 2007, but that woman escaped.