To me, it doesn't matter if LE was onto him or not. LE deserves kudos. They pursued and pursued...they communicated....worked WITH the public...released as much info as they could....used social media to release updates. They made everyone aware of the important things to look for and in the end, it is most likely those very things that helped bring this young man in.
I see so many cases....SO many....we all do, that never get solved in any form. Info is never released. LE acts like the public is enemy #1. Just look at Holly Bobo's case. The morning of her abduction, several 911 calls were made...we don't even know how many! WHY? Because the blasted TBI won't tell us! LE also will not release the content of the calls, tell who made the calls, tell what time the calls came in...much less, actually let us hear the dang calls! The secrets are overwhelming. I finally, after many months, quit reading over there on Holly's thread because I can't take the frustration any more. That case will never be solved.....not unless TBI opens up to us.
Other PD's should take notice! We are out here, people!
And we will help you get 'em.....