Issue date: 10/11/05 Section: News

Adán Peña - The Battalion

In the last month, multiple reports have been made of a con artist who attempts to convince Texas A&M students to give him money by claiming he is a struggling Christian with suicidal thoughts who is stranded in College Station and needs a bus ticket to get home.

Derek Mathews, a freshman construction science major, said he saw the man about three weeks ago on University Drive.

"The first thing he asked was if I was a Christian," Mathews said. "I said, 'Yes,' and he goes, 'Do you feel that if someone was on the verge of killing themselves, you would spend time to talk with him?'"

Mathews said they sat on the curb to talk, and the man said he was from Oklahoma, his friend stranded him here and he needed to get back to his life and his job.

"He said he didn't know anyone here and couldn't find help anywhere," Mathews said. "We talked for about 30 minutes, and he was on the verge of tears the whole time."

Mathews said the man acted suicidal and desperate for a bus ticket.

"We went and got him the money, he left and I thought that was it," Mathews said.

Then Sunday, Mathews said he saw the man outside of the McDonald's on University Drive. Mathews said the man repeated his story to him and his friend but that when he confronted the man, he denied meeting Mathews, then got mad and ran off.

"He looked at us and said, 'So y'all are Christian, right?' Then I knew it was him," Mathews said. "I wasn't upset at him, just at people who take advantage, 'cause sometimes people really need help."

Bert Kretzschmar, the assistant chief of criminal investigations for the University Police Department (UPD), said a similar incident was reported to UPD on Thursday.

The unknown black male, wearing a white shirt and khaki shorts, said he was suicidal and looking for good Christians to help him, the report stated. Kretzschmar said UPD arrived at Moses Hall but was unable to locate the suspect.

While Kretzchmar said the police department suspects a person living in the Brazos Country area, the department is not investigating because it does not have enough evidence.

"It's not a crime to ask for money," Kretzchmar said. "There are a lot of good people out there that are currently down on their luck."

Kretzchmar said to be cautious and use common sense if ever approached by a stranger soliciting money. He also said if the person is sincere, refer them to organizations such as the Red Cross, The Salvation Army or local churches. Kretzchmar said, if approached by this man, call UPD immediately.

Brooks Beless, a freshman business major, said the man approached him on Northgate by Freebirds. Beless said he has heard of three other male students who have also been approached.

"He approached my friends, and he said, 'If someone told you they were going to end their life, what would you do?'" Beless said. "Then what are you supposed to do? He's going to kill his life; you don't mess around with that."

Beless said they tried to take him to the bus station, but he would not come with them.

"He got really pushy," he said.

Beless said he thinks the man targets people wearing Christian T-shirts or cross necklaces.

"He just looked homeless," Beless said. "He had a surgical boot on one foot and a walking cast on the other. He pretty much played us pretty good."

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