Joe,
Hi. about a month ago my husband and I were approached by a man in a pick up at the parking lot of Food Lion on Nanticoke Road. He asked for our help stating that he was on his way back from Annapolis. He said he went there to see his father who had a stroke and was now returning home to Snow Hill. He said he left in such a hurry to get to his father that he forgot his wallet and he didn't have enough gas to make it home to Snow Hill. We followed him to the gas station and my husband put 20 dollars worth of gas in his truck. I wanted to help because the community has been great to my family since our home burned. Yesterday, we were at the same shopping center after a Dr. appointment and the same man in the same truck drove up to us with the same story. I told him he got us once and he said when? I said we are the ones that had a fire and our pets died in the fire. He started to laugh and drove off. I then called the police and salisbury police department came but said they could not charge him with anything because he didn't steal and there are no longer panhandling laws in Salisbury. They are still looking for him and will question him and warn him. I gave the spd the tag number and he in fact is from Hurlock, not Snow Hill. He drives a Chevy pickup, he is white male, wavy/curly hair, mustache and beard as of yesterday. Yesterday he had on a hawian print shirt.He appeared to be in his 40's. Obviously this man is probably in need of more than gas in his truck. I felt like a fool but I also learned a valuable lesson. Just thought you could get this message out just so people are aware. Have a blessed day!
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
41 comments:
In my opinion you did the right thing and you should NOT feel like a fool. HE should feel like the fool. You did what any other kind hearted person would have done. SHAME on him for being such a jerk.
sounds like a con artist...how dare he! I will call the SPD if I see him, I asure you!!!
Same guy approached me at the Wawa on N. 13. Exact same story. I gave him my change. I live on the west side of town and go to this Food Lion often. I would say 25% of the time I get approached by someone asking for money. But, since there is apparently no law against it what can you do. Now I'm going to throw SPD a bone on how to make some easy citation money. Every time - 100% - I go there someone is parked in the fire lane. These lazy a-holes park right in front of the door too, so you have to walk around their car. Hey SPD - easy money - jump on it!
People keep falling for these scam in Salisbury. These are the oldest scams in the book. Come on people, you must want to be scammed.
Probably William Stier again. SPD-this would be a clue.
And this will only get worse as the holidays approach. I had a similar experience with a woman in the Walmart parking lot. Sob story almost the same except she was trying to get to Easton. Went in the store and came out 1/2 or so later-she was still driving around the parking lot! She could have already been half way to Easton! Yet she drove around the parking lot for almost an hour. All these people are looking for is cash.
What a coincidence to see this post today! That same guy approached me yesterday afternoon at 6PM, WITH THE IDENTICAL SAME STORY! I'm from Snow Hill, and it sounded like a scam to me. I asked him where he lived, house, neighbors, etc. He answered with a location and neighbor that I know. He then said he didn't want to "burden" me, and went to find another sucker. I watched as he approached another vehicle, and then started to fuel his vehicle. He was still fueling when I left and was obviously getting more that the $5.00 worth it would take to get him home. Apparently the scam works for the trusting Eastern Shore folks! I'm surprised he's able to do it on a regular basis. I will be checking to see if his vehicle is parked at the residence he indicated. If it is, I will ahve another post for you tomorrow with the location. You can go and try to get your money back from him, if he's there.
BEWARE if someone asks you for money on the steet, no matter what the story. If you don't know them, it's PROBABLY a scam. That guy (from Snow Hill) could have called a friend from Snow Hill if he needed help. He wouldn,t have to ask stangers in Salisbury....but it works!
So, you got his tag# and the city. Did you get his name? You should post it, anomymously, of course. It looks like a repeat offender that needs to be outted.
My husband told me the exact same story a few weeks ago.I just told him he got conned . Thanks for the heads up no telling how many people this guy got.
Sdomeone came to my door on Camden ave and said he had run out gas...I gave him my gas can, when he returned with it he asked me if I would give him a few bucks too; I said no. Very annoying. this type of thing happens alot in my area.
Tell us his tag# so we can beware of this con artist.
Yes, it does reek of William Stier!
He got me at the Gordy's store on Nanticoke. He is there often.
I have been approached by several people recently at gas stations telling me they are out of gas.
From Annapolis to right here in Salisbury. Mostly attractive young girls, but not limited to.
I always tell them I have no cash I only use plastic. Funny how you never have this problem at Sams Club!
It's a real shame that you can't trust anyone any more. I think most people want to help another in need. I would hope someone would help me if I was really stuck. Thanks for the "heads up".
OMG! He was in the parking lot of The Dollar Store, behind Chick-a-filet, Tuesday, two weeks ago. I had my grandsons w/me and he told the same story. My grandsons didn't understand and were worried about him.
The tag was Maryland 76W927. I always try to believe that most people are honest and no I did not want to be "scammed" I did not get his name but the cops ran the tag and they know who he is but of course would not tell me.
No offense to those who thought they were helping,but I cannot believe people are still able to pull these scams.Please people quit being gullible.Call me a b*tch,but I just say NO!
If you realized how much money these people collect you would think twice before ever giving them anything again.
OH,btw,panhandling may not be a crime in Salisbury but most businesses frown upon it and CAN have someone charged with trespassing if they have been warned to leave the vicinity.Complain to any business that has panhandlers out front enough and they will do something about it.
Don't feel bad, you did the right thing. I am a sucker for people like this, but I take a different perspective. My giving offers each receiver the "chance" to do the right thing with the money. The karma is their problem.
Same guy approached me at Walmart on N. Salisbury Blvd. three weeks ago. He pulled up behind me so I couldn't back up and I had just walked up to my car. Feeling uneasy, I was asking him questions. He gave me the same story about his dad having a stroke and he left the house forgetting his wallet. He said they let him go through the toll booth without cash. I asked how his dad was doing and he said okay, just having trouble with his false teeth. He also told me he had worked for Rocky Kimbrew but now drove a dump truck. I thought I was doing the right thing and am generally a good judge of people. I am a Realtor and gave him all the cash I had and my business card and told him when he got home to send me a check to my work address. Of course, I never got the check. When someone really needs help, no one will help them because of people like him. Posters should be plastered up everywhere warning people about him!
Sounds like Lee Sterling .
He approached my husband and I at Brew River on friday night and gave us the same story. We told him we were sorry but we don't carry cash.
We need another LAW like we need Barry back.
man, with all these fools handing out money so easily, i may just quit my job and start panhandling! come on people, use some common sense in these matters. give to a local charity, not people on the street.
Years ago I was approached by a panhandler at a gas station who asked for money "for some food."
I handed him a dollar, but held tightly to one end as he gripped the other end, and I said, "You aren't going to buy beer with this, are you?" He assured me he wasn't.
It was a pay-first station, and after I filled my tank I went back inside to get my change. There was a line of 3 or 4 people. The person in front at the register was my new "fiend." He finished his transaction, grabbed his Budweiser and walked out the door.
Part two of the story: A week later I was at the same station and guess who approached? I told him, "No" and told him why. He didn't care, he just went to the next person with his hand out.
I told the manager when I went inside to pay. The manager about ran me over as he rushed toward the door, saying something to himself like, "Great, that bum is here again!"
If I see him again,(I'm the 9:50 post), I will offer him ten dollars if he will show me the registration to his truck. The guy said he would mail me a check when he got home (HA,HA) His license might be in the "wallet he left home" but the registration will be in the vehicle. I can't wait to see how fast he speeds off. People beware, ask a few questions and they will leave you for an easier sucker.
A man matching this description approached my daughter and I outside of KMart in Salisbury, but it certainly wasn't those above mentioned fellows(the latter in particular). Just give them a "Sorry I've got to go" or "I just can't help you at this time ."
omg that guy caught me too at k mart. He gave me the same crap about his dad and the wallet thing. I just wanted to punch him. I didn't need that crap now. He's not the only one who needs money these days
Come on folks lets put an end to this crap. I feel for those people out there who really need help because its hard to believe them because of a$$holes like this guy. My solution to this is to really blog these jokers by taking pictures of them and posting them. Further more give complete info such as tag numbers color of the vehicle and location of the ripoff.If all of us stick together we can end this fast!
I've been approached by both this guy as well as a very skinny 30-ish woman telling me her boyfriend threw her out of the car and she needed money for a taxi to get back to Easton/Seaford/Dover/etc. It was a different place each time I saw her. I was approached by her at the Salisbury KMart, the Food Lion across from KMart, Wendy's next to Kmart as well as the Fruitland Wal-Mart. Each time I see her she has white stuff caked on her nostrils so she ain't spending money on a taxi!
I got it at WaWa on Rt.13 on Friday. No story, just wanted to know if I had any spare change.
I agree with 3:01, we don't need anymore laws. The SBY PD is apparently too busy now. I went there in June to report multiple incidents of theft from my company by an employee, gave them everything and all info to seal the deal and haven't heard a word from them yet...to date. Makes me, as a SBY business owner feel good about the support in the city of SBY from the police dept...NOT
About a month ago, before my husband deployed to Afghanistan, we were approached at Goose Creek in Mardela. My husband was pumping gas. MAROON colored CHEVY TRUCK pulled up next to us. He gave my husband the same story. Father was in a hospital in Annapolis. Wallet had been left. Was on his way home to Snow Hill. Was completely on empty. My husband put about $20 in his tank.
When my husband returned to our vehicle I asked him if he was concerned that he had just been scammed. My children saw their father do something very honorable. He helped a man in need. It looks the same in God's eyes whether he was scammed or not. God also knows the truth and the scammer will get his in the end.
I just realized that I wrote this guy's tag number down, too. Just as an after thought. I hope I still have it in my car.
My first post is 9:55 -- I checked my car. I wrote the liscense plate number on a road map book. It matches that of a previous post.
Z71 Chevy Pick Up Truck, Maroon with grey/silver and the license plate number is:
76W 927
I'll get you a name ASAP.
It sounds like he is making more money in Salisbury than hard working citizens with JOBS.
people will say anything to get money!!
anon 10:57..I also know that what I did was what I thought was right at the time. My heart was in the right place and I can put my head on the pillow at night. He is a lost soul and I hope he finds his way someday. I wrote this article and yes it was a maroon truck. I think it is the guy on a newer post..william stier..but he had alot more hair when we saw him. The cops said he was from Hurlock.
Its William Joseph Bischoff
The tag matches the case search file.
When he confronted me at Walmart, I asked him his name and he told me Will Bischoff.
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