Police Address Why They Weren't The Ones To Find Riley Strain's Credit Card

The police are addressing the public's question of why two women found Riley Strain's credit card rather than law enforcement.

The 22-year-old has been missing for 11 days, as he was last seen on March 8, after he was reportedly kicked out of Luke Bryan‘s bar in Nashville, Tennessee. Riley never returned to his hotel room, leaving his friends worried and concerned.

Over the weekend, two women found Riley’s bank card “on the embankment between Gay St. and the Cumberland River,” according to the Metro Nashville Police Department.

Anna Clemdening and Brandy Baenen were going through trash along the riverbank when they located the missing student’s bank card, according to NBC affiliate WSMV-TV. The riverbank where the credit card was found is the same location as his cell phone’s last ping.

“I don’t really know how we found it,” Clemdening told the outlet of the discovery. “I would love to say just dumb luck divine intervention — it was just sitting there.”

Following Riley's recovered credit card, many began questioning why the police were not searching the area.

During today's live press conference, the police addressed the online controversy surrounding the discovery of Riley Strain's credit card.

"There is a lot of variables in these investigations," police said, adding that if "you aren't trained, you may not understand" what the process is like. "We are looking for a person and a body, not small items," law enforcement said during the live press conference.

The police confirmed they are first looking for Strain, and then will go back and conduct "a more refined search."

This afternoon, police will send out a search and rescue unit to look for any other evidence that may point toward finding the 22-year-old missing student, who was last seen on March 8.

On March 8, around 9:35 p.m., Riley Strain, 22, was reportedly kicked out of Luke Bryan‘s bar in Nashville, Tennessee.

At 9:46 p.m., surveillance footage from Downtown Smoke & Vape Shop on Church Street reveals Riley stumbling and falling in a parking lot at 3rd Avenue and Church Street. One minute later, at 9:47 p.m. surveillance video caught Strain crossing 1st Avenue North to Gay Street.

A few moments later, Riley was seen talking to a police officer, very briefly, at 9:52 p.m. Recently released bodycam footage reveals Officer Reginald Young asking Riley “how are you doing, sir?” to which the 22-year-old replies, “I’m good, how are you?” and walks out of frame.

Officer Young then says “Good.”

According to police, no video of him has been seen after this point.

Law enforcement then asked the public to call in with any tips, but are asking them to refrain from calling with theories.

"We are getting a lot of tips that aren't tips and rather a theory," police said during the live press conference. 'We have to prioritize information and we need leads we can follow up on."

One concern that multiple people have called police about was whether Riley was being followed or chased, but police have confirmed there is "no evidence" supporting that, which is why police released the body camera footage showing Riley walking down the street and briefly talking to a police officer.

Police confirmed that a phone was found, but it was an Android. Riley's phone is an Apple product, meaning the phone that was found did not belong to the student. At this time, the credit card is the only physical evidence of Riley's that has been discovered.

The 22-year-old student's phone was last pinged near James Robertson Parkway and Gay Street between 9:55 p.m. and 10 p.m., however, police say the ping covered about a two-mile radius, making it difficult to pinpoint an exact location.

Riley is described as 6-feet, 5-inches tall, with a slender build, blonde hair, and blue eyes, according to his family. If you have any information regarding Riley Strain's disappearance, you are encouraged to call 615-742-7463.