Shadowy Trio Seen Studying Sears Tower

**Ryan Ruck** · March 19th, 2006, 23:43

CHICAGO, March 16 (UPI) -- U.S. federal officials have confirmed they are investigating an incident where three men were seen studying and taking pictures of Chicago's Sears Tower.

The men were spotted outside the 110-story building by security guards about three weeks ago. The men were questioned and allowed to leave, but the guards notified the Chicago Police Department. They in turn notified the Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Chicago Tribune reported

The guards recorded the car's license plate and it was traced to a rental agency, which said the car was returned about an hour after the incident.

It was later determined it had been rented with a fictional name, sources told the newspaper.

Also within the last three weeks, WLS-TV reported a man was questioned about sketching the Boeing World Headquarters building.

**Malsua** · March 19th, 2006, 23:45

Well, we can assume they aren't white. If they were white, they'd have mentioned their race.

-Mal

**eversman** · March 20th, 2006, 01:00

it would appear obvious that this is another reconnaissance effort.

ev

**Malsua** · March 20th, 2006, 01:39

A little more detail.

-Mal

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http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?sec...cal&id=3997181

March 15, 2006 - ABC7 News has learned the terrorism task force is looking into two suspicious cases in downtown Chicago. They happened within the last three weeks. Investigators describe one of the incidents as frightening.
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The incidents involve two landmark Chicago buildings, the Sears Tower and Boeing World headquarters. Since 9-11, the Sears Tower building management in particular has increased security efforts several times over. But the law enforcement sources say, nevertheless, they are concerned about these latest incidents. The entire incident was recorded on Sears Tower video security cameras. The tape is now in the hands of the Joint Terrorism Task Force. It shows three suspicious looking men parked right in front of the building near the loading dock.
They get out of the car in point formation, with two of the men appearing to serve as lookouts, and a third taking pictures of the building with either a video or still camera. When building security noticed them guards made them leave. They failed, however, to ask for identification, and if they had, it may have been phony, because authorities later learned the car was rented under a fake name.

A law enforcement source who has seen the video describes it as very frightening.
Mark Spencer, a spokesperson for the Sears Tower said, "We reported this situation to federal authorities immediately after it occurred. We are confident that federal investigators will thoroughly investigate the situation."
There is no video of a second incident, around the same time of a suspicious individual who was seen sketching the Boeing headquarters building. Building security questioned that man, even took pictures of his sketch but again failed to get an ID or even a picture of him.
Chicago police are part of the terrorism task force and a spokesperson says the incidents are being investigated. She says incidents like this have to be taken very seriously but should not be cause for alarm.
According to those who have seen it, the security camera video from the Sears Tower does not show clear pictures of the men, at least clear enough to identify them. There may be an innocent explanation for what they were doing there, but at this point, investigators have no idea what that might be.
You can see the ABC7 report by clicking on the video icon above. You will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to view this video. You can get it

**Brian Baldwin** · March 20th, 2006, 06:19

Originally Posted by Malsua

Well, we can assume they aren't white. If they were white, they'd have mentioned their race.

-Mal

Which basically screams the fact. When you're right you're right Mal.

Luckily many people are still vigilant in the watch for such persons. This reminds me somewhat of Phil's bank thread. It was good he didn't keep the info to himself in fear of being overly reactive but instead contacted authorities. Everyone should report strange behavior right away. Yes, it likely will be nothing in the end but once in a while without our ever finding out, it won't be nothing.

**Malsua** · March 20th, 2006, 13:35

Originally Posted by Brian Baldwin

Which basically screams the fact. When you're right you're right Mal.

Luckily many people are still vigilant in the watch for such persons.

I did read a report that they were Mexicans visiting from Mexico. Unclear if that is the case since it was something someone else claims to have heard.

I'll also note that Jihadis have been going to Mexico, assuming a Hispanic name and getting phony ID from whatever Mexican official is willing to take the bribe.

-Mal

**Brian Baldwin** · March 21st, 2006, 09:00

Are the Arabs living legally in America, Canada, and Mexico, anything other than Americans, Canadians, or Mexicans? If the report you read didn't specifically say they were Hispanic then they could still be Arab. And as you stated also... They likely are using fake IDs.