The guys homeless but still, I assume, has a cell phone? How did he call police? Not being flippant, I just find it strange.
Obama phone don’t’ya know.
I do believe calls to 911 from pay phones are free.
I assume that’s how it was done. Or maybe an Obamaphone, as was said.
They may not have all the latest bells aand whistles, but prepaid cell phones and additional time cards for them can be purchased at many retail stores (WalMart, Target, etc.) for not a lot of cash. Well within the panhandling/bottle refund cash generating capabilities of the homeless (who, BTW, may also be receiving some form of welfare benefits).
Along with normal users, the prepaid has been a favorite method of communication for drug dealers, terrorists, and others concerned about communicating without leaving an extensive trail (electronic or credit). (Terrorists, of course, also rig them to detonaate bombs.)
Cheap enough to be thrown away as frequently as necessary (or left for someone else to find), it can still be tracked when powered (even if off). Just make sure to buy one with a removable battery and actually pull the battery out when not using it.
Of course, once the number is known...if that concerns you ... time for a new cell phone.