News

Actions

Is Valley panhandler's sign fact or fiction?

Posted at 10:40 PM, May 26, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-27 15:57:07-04

Valley drivers continue to wonder whether a panhandler’s sign is true, and what can be done if the man’s story is a scam.

The man holds a poster board, usually in the west Valley, asking for money to pay for his son’s burial.

The Facebook group “Stop the help me bury my son guy” was founded last year. The group’s members post sightings of the man and list his location for that day. 

The man had his sign Thursday near the funeral processional route for fallen Phoenix Police Officer David Glasser. 

“He’s taking advantage of that moment in their life,” said Chris Sell, who said he has seen the panhandler in the West Valley every day for “years.” 

The panhandler told ABC15 that he did not know an officer’s funeral processional was nearby, and that he has $300 left to raise toward a $14,000 funeral loan for his son.

He would not say how long he has been raising money, nor would he provide his telephone number or even his name.

He did say he could provide documentation to prove his story.