ROSEVILLE (WWJ) - The case of a pesky panhandler plaguing patrons at gas stations across metro Detroit appears to be solved, after a private investigator caught him on video.
While numerous people have reported being hassled by the man in various communities -- including Warren, Roseville, Dearborn, Southfield and Farmington Hills -- it was a story out of Sterling Heights that drew some real attention.
Early this month, a young woman shared a photo of the man on Facebook, saying he'd asked her for money at the BP at 15 Mile and Mound. She described him as a middle-aged white man with gray hair and glasses, driving a dark colored Chevy Cruze.
Everyone he's approached tells the same story: the man says his wife left him with an empty tank, and he needs $1 for gas to get to the highway. In some cases, if denied the cash he persists, asking the person to come check his gas gauge to see he's not lying. "What's the most disturbing is him trying to lure women to his car," the woman wrote in the viral post, which has garnered more than and 37,000 shares 5,000 comments.
A WWJ Newsradio 950 producer, who was a bit unnerved by the man at a BP near I-696 in Warren. She told him "no" and made a beeline for her vehicle.
A break in the case didn't come until Steve Crane of ACS Professional Investigations says one of his PIs was hit up twice by the man in two days.
"He went home and he saw that this guy was all over social media," Crane said. "So I met up with him and I said, you know, let's see if this guy is luring women to his vehicle."
They followed the man for a couple of hours, as he went about his usual begging business. "A few days later we went back and, it was on a Sunday, and we following him to probably 10 or 15 different stops."
Eventually, Crane said, the subject drove down a Detroit street known for drug sales. There, Crane said he caught him on video making a transaction. "At that point it was apparent to me that the guy's just a panhandler and obviously might have a substance abuse problem, and I didn't feel the need to continue it," Crane said, adding: "I really think that he was only approaching just to get money, to support that habit."
Asked by WWJ Newsradio 950 about case, Roseville police sent a short statement regarding an unnamed suspect who was pulled over at around 6:30 p.m. this past Wednesday, June 26.
Police said officers stopped a 55-year-old Roseville man who was driving a Black 2014 Chevy Cruze on Arlington near 10 Mile Rd., and he was arrested for a traffic violation.
He posted bond and was released with a citation and court date of July 7, at the 39th District Court.
While police did not confirm nor deny he's the "gas station creeper," police added that they urge anyone with concerns they feel need to be addressed to call their local police department.
While Crane said he believes the man's Chevy was impounded, police would not confirm that.
Would would Crane like to see happen now?