Posted on April 21, 2025

Naked Man Blocks Traffic with Cardboard Sign on CR 6

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Elkhart, IN — Rush hour on County Road 6 turned into a full-blown spectacle Tuesday afternoon when a completely naked man planted himself on the northeast corner of CR 6 and Cassopolis Street, right next to the Marathon gas station, holding a large cardboard sign that read: “I HAVE QUESTIONS.”

The man, later identified by police only as “Dave,” appeared around 4:30 p.m., calmly sipping from a 44-ounce fountain drink and slowly rotating in place like a confused lawn ornament. He stood on the narrow grass strip near the bus stop, unfazed by honking cars, camera phones, or the fact that he was, by all accounts, completely and unapologetically nude.

Witnesses described the scene as both “unsettling” and “weirdly peaceful.”

“It’s Elkhart, so I didn’t even flinch at first,” said Tonya Beecham, who was waiting at the light on Cassopolis. “I assumed it was some sort of promo stunt or art student thing. Then I realized he was barefoot. That was the part that concerned me most. The sidewalk’s nasty over there.”

Another witness, delivery driver Darnell Roberts, said he initially thought Dave was holding a protest. “I saw the sign and thought, okay, some guy’s got questions. Then he turned around and I realized, oh—he’s got questions and no pants. That’s a very different energy.”

Several onlookers reported that Dave made eye contact with passing drivers but said nothing, choosing instead to occasionally gesture toward the sign with his free hand like a man at a silent auction. He continued sipping his drink, rotating slowly, and nodding intermittently as if he were listening to music only he could hear.

Police responded quickly, arriving on scene around 4:42 p.m. According to scanner traffic, the initial report described “a fully nude male at the corner, armed with signs and a large beverage.” Officers arrived to find Dave still calmly turning in place, now displaying a second cardboard sign that read: “ASK HER ABOUT THE DOG.”

“We approached cautiously,” said Sgt. Lillian Ortiz of the Elkhart PD. “The situation was unpredictable. But he seemed chill. Very… centered.”

Another sign was recovered from a nearby bush, folded in half and partially smeared with what police described as “fast-food grease or possibly sadness.” It read: “SHE TOOK MY TOASTER. I TOOK THE STREETS.”

At no point did Dave resist. Officers offered him a blanket, which he politely declined, stating, “The wind knows me now.” He was taken into custody for mental health evaluation, per standard procedure. While he may face misdemeanor charges for public nudity and obstructing traffic, authorities noted that he was cooperative, sober, and—according to the official report—“surprisingly well-groomed.”

“He was polite the entire time,” Sgt. Ortiz added. “Didn’t swear, didn’t yell, just sort of… existed out loud.”

No weapons, drugs, or alcohol were found on Dave. All he had with him were the signs, the drink, and an empty snack wrapper containing one rogue, crumbled corn chip.

Inquiries into Dave’s background revealed a relatively uneventful history: local address, no major priors, formerly employed at a small appliance repair shop. One coworker described him as “quiet, detail-oriented, and the kind of guy who irons his jeans.” Another said he’d recently gone through “some kind of breakup involving a woman who was really into rescue dogs and scented candles.”

Neighbors claim Dave had been keeping to himself in recent weeks. “He was always friendly,” said Patricia Lang, who lives two doors down. “He mowed in straight lines, never missed trash day. But lately? I don’t know. He started wearing Crocs without irony. That’s when I knew something was shifting.”

When asked by officers at the scene why he chose to make his statement in the nude, Dave allegedly took a long, thoughtful sip from his Big Gulp, stared at the Marathon sign across the intersection, and said:

“I just needed people to feel something again.”

That quote has since gone viral in regional Facebook groups, where users have added it to everything from motivational memes to shirtless memes of Dave photoshopped in front of American flags. One commenter wrote, “Honestly? He’s got a point,” while another added, “This man is one emotional support raccoon away from becoming our generation’s prophet.”

By Wednesday afternoon, someone had already set up a parody Twitter account, @NakedSignGuy, which had over 3,000 followers and was tweeting cryptic life advice like, “If she takes the toaster, reclaim your narrative,” and “Some answers only appear when you’re unencumbered by pants.”

City officials have declined to comment on the specifics of Dave’s situation, citing privacy laws. However, a spokesperson for the mayor’s office did confirm that “no permanent damage was done,” and that the grassy area outside the Marathon will be “power-washed, just in case.”

Mental health advocates are urging compassion, not mockery. Local counselor Rachel Hennig says Dave’s actions, while unusual, may reflect deeper frustrations shared by many. “We live in a world where people are overwhelmed and unheard. Dave’s choice of venue and wardrobe may have been unconventional, but the message resonated. We’re all holding signs in our own way—most of us just wear more clothing when we do it.”

As for Dave, sources say he is resting, cooperating with professionals, and—according to one nurse—requested his signs be returned to him “once the public’s ready.”

At press time, someone had anonymously placed a small cardboard placard at the scene of the incident, wedged into the grass next to the bus stop bench. Written in black Sharpie, it simply read: “WE STILL HAVE QUESTIONS.”