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Con man's sad story touches congregation
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Published: July 16, 2009
A local church may be the latest victim of a con man with a good sob story.
A man attended Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on Sunday in Statesville and told parisonishers he was trying to make it to Oklahoma for his mother's birthday.
The church members collected about $350 to help the man with his travel expenses.
This is a similar story told to the congregations of five churches in Davie and Forsyth counties during the past month, and authorities there said he has pocketed about $800 so far.
Erin Hinrichs, a member at Holy Trinity, said the man presented a moving story.
She said he stood up in the back of the church during the contemporary worship service and said he'd been saved the night before.
He told the congregation he was rummaging through a Dumpster when a man named Eric approached him, took him out to eat and talked to him about Christ. He said he hit the floor and was saved.
He told them he called his mother in Oklahoma for the first time in years and now wanted to see her for her birthday.
"The congregation was moved to tears," Hinrichs said.
A chuch-goer in Davie County described the man's performance as worthy of an Oscar.
The man never asked for money, but a pastor at the church passed around a tray for a free-will offering. About $350 was collected, she said.
But she suspected something was up. When she got home to Mocksville, her father mentioned something about a con artist in Davie County.
Hinricks said she did some research and found the story about the con man hitting churches in Forysth and Davie counties. The description of the two men matches.
Authorities in Davie and Forsyth counties said he is about 6 feet tall, weighs between 200 and 250 pounds and has a long ponytail.
Hinrichs said this man, who called himself Dan or Daniel, was wearing a dingy blue polo shirt, jeans and bluish-gray sneakers. His hair was cut short, but he told the congregation a barber cut his hair for free after hearing his story.
He was carrying a green and maroon bag.
Sgt. Kenny Cornelius of the Statesville Police Department and Detective Sgt. Allen Sipes of the Iredell County Sheriff's Office white collar crime unit said they haven't received reports about the suspect.
Hinrichs said she wants other churches to be aware of the man.
While he used the name Dan or Daniel in Statesville, he used at least three different last names in Forsyth and Davie counties. The names he uses include George Hill, Williams and Hicks.
Anyone who comes in contact with this man is asked to call a local law enforcement agency.
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