Seattle superhero unmasks to face possible jail time
14 October 2011
by Stephen Gregory
Phoenix Jones, a masked “superhero” operating in Seattle, was forced to unmask in court after being arrested allegedly attacking four people outside a nightclub.
Jones, who revealed his true identity as Benjamin Fodor outside the court, is the leader of Rain City Superhero Movement, a group of around ten costumed vigilantes with martial arts and ex-military credentials.
Jones entered battle brandishing pepper spray with a group of people in the early hours of Sunday morning. Things soon turned ugly, as Jones hit one of the assailants with the spray and drew the ire of others in the group, one of which attacked him with her high-heeled shoe.
Police soon turned up, and took Phoenix Jones into custody. Despite claims from Jones and his associates that several members in the group were fighting, police say that there is no evidence of any violence prior to Phoenix Jones’ appearance.
Although this is the first time that Phoenix Jones has been taken into custody for his crime fighting exploits, his work has been a source of concern for Seattle police for some time.
Seattle police spokesman Mark Jamieson pointed out that they didn’t have a problem with anyone who wanted to dress up as a superhero and patrol. However, Jamieson added: “our concern is when they insert themselves into these potentially volatile and unknown situations.” Police would much rather Jones and his crew called the police when they came across crime.
Phoenix Jones has been getting closer and closer to serious harm recently. Despite the protection of his crimefighting suit, which includes body armour, a ballistic vest and trauma plates for his arms and legs, and an arsenal including pepper spray and a stun gun, Jones sustained a broken nose and found himself looking down the barrel of a gun back in January, after trying to prevent a brawl between two men.
Even though police demanded that Pheonix Jones surrender his suit to them, he made it clear that he intended to return to patrol tonight, with a back-up costume.
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