Stranger danger: Man approaches 2 boys in St. Clair Shores claiming to be 'out of gas'

Man drove away after father came out of home

SAINT CLAIR SHORES, Mich. – Saint Clair Shores police are asking for the public's help in identifying a man wanted in connection with a stranger danger incident.

Police said the man showed up in a neighborhood around dinnertime Tuesday and approached two young boys.

He was last seen in the area of Little Mack Avenue and 10 Mile Road.

The boys were playing in the driveway of a home in the 20000 block of Benjamin Street when the man approached and said he had run out of gas, police said.

Police said the man got out of his vehicle and walked up to the two boys while they were playing in the driveway. The children ran inside to get their father, and when they got back out, the man again said he was out of gas before driving away.

"We heard about it through the local parent watch situation," Dave Sokacz said.

Sokacz was out with his son Anthony, who was zipping around Wednesday on his new hoverboard. Sokacz said he was making sure the man in the pictures didn't make a return visit.

"The story might have made sense until he drove away in his SUV," Sokacz said. "I guess the father came out. You just never know. You've got to watch what's going on around you."

The man is described as being in his 60s, standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 180 pounds. He has a stubble beard and was wearing a dark gray winter coat, a gray knit cap, blue jeans and white tennis shoes.

He was driving a green 1990s to early 2000s Chevy Trailblazer.

Anyone with information is asked to call police.


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Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.