Obama Streaker Identified As Staten Island Man
NEW YORK (CBS 2/AP) — The man who apparently stripped nude in attempt to win a million bucks at a rally for President Obama in Philadelphia on Sunday hails from Staten Island.
As thousands of people gathered to listen to Obama and Vice President Joe Biden energize voters ahead of next month's election, police said Juan James Rodriguez, 24, of Staten Island, New York, was arrested after running near the stage completely naked with a website address scrawled across his chest.
The shocking incident happened at the "Moving America Forward" rally Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia's Germantown section.
Media cameras and cell phones were recording as Rodriguez was escorted away by officers covering the man's lower extremities with a rally sign.
Billionaire entrepreneur, Alki David, recently offered the million-dollar prize to the first person who could successfully streak in front of the U.S. president with the website name www.battlecam.com written on his chest. He told Philadelphia newspapers that Rodriguez was the first to take him up on the challenge.
"Whether he was in earshot and eyesight of the president is what's being debated right now," David said. The rules of the challenge also included shouting the name of the site six times.
It is unclear if Rodriguez met the requirements, but one thing is certain, he was definitely in the buff.
David told the Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News that he is an Obama fan, but streaking is a time-honored way of getting attention. He said the stunt was about marketing the "extreme website" that allows people to compete in events like talent shows and cooking competitions and be rated by other users.
Police say Rodriguez, who has been charged with indecent exposure, open lewdness, and disorderly conduct, remains behind bars at Philadelphia Police Headquarters awaiting an appearance before an arraignment court judge.
The White House declined comment on the incident.
