Car bomb spotter's sales up 30 percent

NEW YORK, May 6 (UPI) -- The New York handbag vendor who reported a car bomb in the city's Times Square to police said his sales are up 30 percent since the incident.

Duane Jackson, 58, who gained national attention for bringing the smoking Nissan Pathfinder to the attention of police Saturday, said his booth at 45th Street and Broadway has been constantly surrounded since Sunday by customers and tourists seeking autographs, pictures, handshakes and to purchase the wares of a national hero, the New York Daily News reported Thursday.

"The hero part is certainly overblown. We throw that word around too much," said Jackson, who has worked as a vendor in Times Square for 13 years. "I'm just one of the guys who happens to be here."

However, Jackson said he is enjoying the 30 percent boost in sales along with the constant expressions of thanks, including a Monday phone call from President Barack Obama.

"People say, 'Thank you,' 'Thank you for taking action, for being vigilant' -- all the things the president said to me," he said. "It's real positive for business. People come by because they've seen me on the news and they want to buy something to thank me."