Andre Yoskowitz
3 Jan 2010 4:02
Alfred Hightower, wanted in Indiana for drug dealing and possession has been apprehended in Canada this week after Blizzard gave up his personal details from the popular online game World of Warcraft.
Deputy Matt Robertson and Major Steve Rogers were in charge of the investigation and say the breakthrough came after a tipster somewhat mentioned Hightower's addiction to the online phenomenom. "We received information that this guy was a regular player of an online game, which was referred to as 'some warlock and witches' game," said Roberson. "None of that information was sound enough to pursue on its own, but putting everything we had together gave me enough evidence to send a subpoena to Blizzard Entertainment. I knew exactly what he was playing — World of Warcraft. I used to play it. It's one of the largest online games in the world."
The so-called "subpoena" was just a polite request to Blizzard, but it paid off as the developer released Hightower's IP address, account information, billing address and his online screen name to the authorities.