Winamac Man Faces Panhandling Charges in LaPorte County

 
 

A Winamac man police say asked several Walmart patrons for gas money faces panhandling charges in LaPorte County. Officers responded to a report of suspicious behavior at the store on Boyd Boulevard in LaPorte around 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 3. Several patrons described the suspect as a tall, white man with tattoos on his hands. He was said to be with a teal Dodge Neon with a heavyset white woman with red hair in the passenger seat.

Officers found the couple in the parking lot, according to a news release. The man told them he was trying to get enough money for gas to get home. However, police say his tank had ample gas to get back to Winamac. Other witnesses told the officers they gave the man money and followed him to a nearby gas station where they say he pulled up to the pump, got out of the car, got back in and left without buying gas. Another witness told the officers the man declined an offer to follow him to a gas station to pay for gas.

The case is under review the LaPorte County Prosecutor’s Office.