Nice day for a con
An alert reader writes:
I was cycling in downtown Portland Saturday (July 31) about noon when I passed David from Welches walking on SW 2nd at Stark. I recognized him immediately (baseball cap, t-shirt, shorts, beard, Tevas with white socks, clean, slightly tan) and when I turned around to make another casual pass to observe him he had already stopped a young couple and started talking to them on the sidewalk.When I passed the second time, I heard the young woman say, "Yeah, I've heard of Sandy." So I turned around at the corner, slowly pedaled past again and said, "If he's asking you for money, it's a scam."
A couple of minutes later, the couple walked up to me on the next block, told me that David had walked away after I ruined his pitch and asked me what I meant. So I told them the sad story of the "Welches con man" and suggested that they Google the same. They were flabbergasted that this guy was able to get away with this behavior without drawing attention from the police.
I pedaled away without noticing where David had gone, but I am pretty certain he just continued down the street and put his scam down on the next couple he met.
Next time I will definitely speak to him and try to get an updated photo if I have my cell phone handy.
| Posted at 6:33 PM | Permalink |
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Comments (6)
I saw him at 9th & NW Davis (near Fuller's) last week, on Friday, at about 8:00am. Cap, facial hair, unmistakably the same.
Posted by the other white meat | July 31, 2010 6:41 PM
He was spotted Friday at the Reel M Inn eating fried chicken and drinking a shot with a beer back.
Posted by Tony | July 31, 2010 6:42 PM
Where does this guy sleep? In his pickup?
Posted by Jack Bog | July 31, 2010 9:04 PM
The more I learn about this guy, and especially after seeing him in action, I get the feeling that this ruse is a sign/symptom of deep mental illness. I don't think he can resist the compulsion to steal money in this way. I bet he lives in downtown housing provided by some social service agency and has a fatter wallet than any of the others living in the place.
If I see him again and have time to do so, I will follow him to see where he goes.
Posted by none | August 1, 2010 8:06 AM
"I get the feeling that this ruse is a sign/symptom of deep mental illness. I don't think he can resist the compulsion to steal money in this way. I bet he lives in downtown housing provided by some social service agency and has a fatter wallet than any of the others living in the place."
Seems he'd be more likely to get treatment if he hit rock bottom and had to confront his demons. I think there's a social service agency willing to provide him housing for three to ten years while he dries out and works on his issues, if only the social workers in the PPB could learn the difference between harmless guys like James Chasse and this guy.
Posted by George Anonymuncule Seldes | August 1, 2010 10:28 AM
PDXers and visitors might be a light touch.
I recall an article in Willamette Week a few years back that profiled several panhandlers. One that stood out in my mind was the one that lived in the Henry in the Pearl. Not sure if he declared this income or paid taxes on it, though, as the article didn't follow-up with that.
Sure, an extreme example, and quite atypical.
For those that need and want help, there are a few resources available. I feel sorry for those that don't want help or know how to get it.
An encounter I had last week was by the food carts on Alder when a gent sitting on the corner was asking passerbys if they would like to swap shoes.
Interesting.
Posted by Mike (one of the many) | August 1, 2010 3:32 PM