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Keith the Aggressive Panhandler — Brooklynian

Keith the Aggressive Panhandler

poot
poot
edited November -1 in Prospect Heights
Anyone had a run-in with this guy recently?

http://www.brooklynian.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1516&highlight=keith

My husband was acousted by someone who introduced himself as Keith this afternoon in front of Tavern on Dean. Same MO: just got out of prison... asked for help - my husband had nothing on him... offered to go to our house with my husband to get money... got really angry and up in my husband's face when turned down ("I could punch you in the face right now".)

Shook my husband up quite a bit.
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Comments

  • whyfi
    whyfi
    We should set a bounty for a pic of this loser.
  • dailyheights
    dailyheights
    Done. $25, cash on the barrel. Or paypal on the barrel.

    This guy definitely gets around. Here are the last 55 comments about him:

    http://www.brooklynian.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1516&highlight=keith
  • mattbot
    mattbot
    Keith found me around 8:30 this morning, on Classon and Dean as I was walking toward Atlantic. I wish I had seen these threads earlier.

    Anyway, the physical descriptions other people have provided are accurate. Probably about 6', over 200 lbs. He wore sweats and was big on the handshakes. The whole interaction was tense and not one that I'd like to repeat anytime soon.
  • liftandcut
    liftandcut
    Why would you stop and shake his hand? Just say, "I'm sorry, I can't help you out," and keep on moving. Jeez.
  • dailyheights
    dailyheights
    just wanted to add that the $25 offer is for real. Here's the Rogue's Gallery to date:

    A pic of The Alleged ProHo Gaffler (which we also paid a $25 bounty for):

    image

    Here's another intimidating guy who was making the rounds (5 minutes after he panhandled me):

    image
  • carnivore
    carnivore
    And don't forget this shady character:
    image
    :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:
    Image edited to protect the innocent... :lol:
  • yavel
    yavel
    I let myself get conned out of $8 when I was living in Fort Greene. The guy said that he needed the money to get his car that had been impounded. He also said he was playing at the Blue Note that evening and could get me tickets. I knew he was lying, but it was such an elaborate scam that I gave him the money.

    Two years later, I'm crossing the street at Grand Army and see this guy who is approaching drop his wallet. I let him know that he dropped something and he thanks me profusely, saying 'I saved his life'. He then launches into this story about how his car broke down. I cut him off to ask him if he remembered the last time I gave him money. At that, his expression turned hard and he just stalked off w/o saying anything.
  • qtrain
    qtrain
    Carnivore wrote: And don't forget this shady character:
    image
    I know that guy! he asked me for $5 bucks the other night, said he needed an ethernet cable. He followed me for about two blocks, muttering something about how "RC4 encryption was broken". I think he was on Evercrack.
  • lp1378
    lp1378
    (a lurker chiming in)

    I had a run-in with him a couple of years ago. Not excited to hear he's around again. After the last encounter I wanted to call the cops, but I doubted that would do any good, i.e. they would do anything about it.
  • carnivore
    carnivore
    qtrain wrote: I know that guy! he asked me for $5 bucks the other night, said he needed an ethernet cable. He followed me for about two blocks, muttering something about how "RC4 encryption was broken". I think he was on Evercrack.
    ROTFLMAO!!1 :lol: :twisted: :lol:
  • lp1378
    lp1378
    liftandcut wrote: Why would you stop and shake his hand? Just say, "I'm sorry, I can't help you out," and keep on moving. Jeez.
    That's just the thing. It doesn't work that way with him. He really gets up in your sh*t. If you pick up the pace he keeps walking with you. That's why people on here describe him as "aggressive." (And for the record, I happen to be bigger than he is. I could imagine for a smaller person this can get really intimidating)
  • elitt
    elitt

    Subject: Re: Keith the Aggressive Panhandler

    So Keith is back? I haven't seen him in many years, but he used to approach me near St. Marks/Underhill from time to time. Talk about prison muscles!

    I'm a very small white dude. The first time he approached me with his standard 'flex-the biceps-n-extend-the-hand-to-shake move he assumed I was new to the hood and said something like, "welcome to the neighborhood kid"

    I replied that I moved in about four years prior -and added that perhaps I should be welcoming him to the neighborhood.

    He was so perplexed that he ended up walking away. His tactic is do everything possible to intimidate whomever he's talking to -but seems to always fall short of committing a violent act.

    Give him a quick brush-off and he follows...add a bit of attitude and he's gone.

    Hopefully his MO hasn't changed, but there isn't one post on this board about bodily contact...punches being thrown etc.

    He REALLY gets thrown off if you address him by name / especially if you say, "Hey Keith" before he opens his mouth. He quickly realizes you know who he is...what he's up to / and ends up walking away.
    poot wrote: Anyone had a run-in with this guy recently?

    http://www.brooklynian.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1516&highlight=keith

    My husband was acousted by someone who introduced himself as Keith this afternoon in front of Tavern on Dean. Same MO: just got out of prison... asked for help - my husband had nothing on him... offered to go to our house with my husband to get money... got really angry and up in my husband's face when turned down ("I could punch you in the face right now".)

    Shook my husband up quite a bit.
  • mattbot
    mattbot
    lp1378 wrote: [quote=liftandcut]Why would you stop and shake his hand? Just say, "I'm sorry, I can't help you out," and keep on moving. Jeez.
    That's just the thing. It doesn't work that way with him. He really gets up in your sh*t. If you pick up the pace he keeps walking with you. That's why people on here describe him as "aggressive." (And for the record, I happen to be bigger than he is. I could imagine for a smaller person this can get really intimidating)

    He happened to catch me after I had just walked through about four or five get out the vote people. My first thought was that he was just another one of them trying to get me to vote for candidate X. I shook his hand and quickly realized that this wasn't the case.

    Anyway, yeah, he's not easy to shake.
  • liftandcut
    liftandcut
    So if this dude scares all of you so much, why not call the police?
  • apollonia666
    apollonia666
    liftandcut wrote: So if this dude scares all of you so much, why not call the police?
    Man, you're extra-grumpy -- I think this is the fourth or fifthy pissy, dismissive remark I've seen from you today!

    Do you call the police when someone's intimidating but doesn't cross the line into assault or threats?
  • liftandcut
    liftandcut
    "Pissy?" Hmm, okay. It seems like these dudes are a huge issue for this thread's posters, and everybody seems to be really scared of them. One person was even threatened. So, I think anyone would advise calling the police, given your alarmed tones. "Pissy." Wow, that's intense. Smile!
  • whyfi
    whyfi
    See, there's the rub - other than that one case, I haven't heard of him threatening violence - he certainly didn't when I ran in to him... Instead, he uses other methods to imply violence - talking about how he was in prison for beatin' someone down, extra firm handshake, complete invasion of personal space, etc... if he did indeed say, "I could punch you in the face right now..." it's pretty clear-cut and you should call the athoritays.
  • poot
    poot
    He did, in fact, say that to my husband. And a few other choice words as well. There happen to be some guys delivering something in a neighboring building so he headed toward them, at which point Keith took off.

    I wish he had called the police - the whole point of sharing info like this is to help others avoid a similar, uncomfortable situation, and presumably the police can do that - but I think he was just so stunned and high-tailed it home instead. Sometimes it's difficult in the moment to know exactly what to do, especially if you are embarrassed or frightened, which I am sure he was a little of both.

    It's easy to say just don't shake his hand or whatever, but the situation sounded pretty intense - all of the run-ins with this guy do - and my husband just doesn't do intimidating very well. Unless you find 5'6", 140 lbs with glasses especially intimidating. Maybe at a spelling bee...
  • drano
    drano
    WhyFi wrote: See, there's the rub - other than that one case, I haven't heard of him threatening violence - he certainly didn't when I ran in to him... Instead, he uses other methods to imply violence - talking about how he was in prison for beatin' someone down, extra firm handshake, complete invasion of personal space, etc... if he did indeed say, "I could punch you in the face right now..." it's pretty clear-cut and you should call the athoritays.
    Agreed. I haven't run into this guy, but it sounds like this is how he gets his kicks. He knows what he's doing, right down to the phrasing of his threats. Best solution is to ruin his time by not being uncomfortable (offer him a penny) and also make the appropriate complaints to the cops so he is on their radar. He might get the ol' wood shampoo...
  • whyfi
    whyfi
    In that case, I think that you and your hubby should take the opportunity to call the police. As Drano said, he is perfectly aware of what he's doing, but this time he's stepped over the line and it's an opportunity that you should capitalize on. Make the police aware. Point them to the two threads on these boards. If I could, I would, but what am I going to tell them? That he tried to make me feel uncomfortable, that he tried to scare me without actually threatening me? That call wouldn't go over well...
  • poot
    poot
    That's a valid point. I suppose even if the moment itself is over, we could still at least speak to someone about the fact that this guy is back. Judging from the fact that several others posted encounters with him as well... seems worth it.
  • liftandcut
    liftandcut
    Jeez, will you guys just call the cops already? It's not that complicated. If you feel like you are being harassed, call the cops.

    The fact that this guy is big and Black should get him arrested in no time flat. Poof! Problem solved.
  • rockhound
    rockhound

    Subject: Community Affairs Department 77 Precinct

    I would never apologize to a bullying parasite or any beggar for that matter for not having anything to give him. I have had maybe one run in with this character, he started by saying "your dog is cute". Then, as I am standing there giving him the "hairy eyeball" he launches into his rote spiel. I kiss my teeth, drop an F bomb, and turn on a heel. End of unwanted interaction.

    I suggest that those who have had more upsetting experiences with this fool contact the Community Affairs dept. of the 77th Precinct. Document incidents, and send a snail mail letter. They will contact you. Mr. Bumtard will be on their radar screen; they can't help if they don't know anything. You could always refer them to this thread. Good luck!
  • mdgately
    mdgately
    liftandcut wrote: The fact that this guy is big and Black should get him arrested in no time flat. Poof! Problem solved.
    That, and the "ol'wood shampoo" comment from Drano earlier, is incredibly offensive. But you probably knew that.
  • anfield
    anfield
    Never heard "wood shampoo" before but if its referring to a truncheon its pretty funny. The other comment, not so much.
  • drano
    drano
    mdgately wrote: [quote=liftandcut]The fact that this guy is big and Black should get him arrested in no time flat. Poof! Problem solved.
    That, and the "ol'wood shampoo" comment from Drano earlier, is incredibly offensive. But you probably knew that.

    You're right. It was wrong of me to imply - however jokingly - that the police occasionally go overboard in the execution of their duties. Most cops I've known - with the notable exceptions of my no good one-time brother-in-law and this one deputy in the town where I grew up - are decent people who actually are trying to do some good in the world. So, I apologize to you, the NYPD, and anyone else that may have been offended.
  • liftandcut
    liftandcut
    That, and the "ol'wood shampoo" comment from Drano earlier, is incredibly offensive. But you probably knew that.
    "Wood shampoo" is a Red Foxx classic. Always makes me laugh when he says that. As far as the Black comment, I'm just telling it like it is, home skillet.
  • djuoh
    djuoh
    Keith is not a sane person and he has been around for a while. I'm sure the authorities know about him but there is nothing that can be done considering that he hasn't hurt anyone yet. Think of him as Lenny (Of Mice and Men).
  • wonderroom
    wonderroom
    my boyfriend had a VERY VERY scary encounter with this Keith guy while walking our dog on Tuesday morning which culminated in him following my man home and waiting for us to leave our building again for work (which we, of course, had no choice but to do). When we walked out he was "pretend boxing" the air. I haven't seen him since and swear I will call the cops if I ever do see him again. This has nothing to do with his race and everything to do with the fact that he is doing everything in his power to be/seem as menacing as possible. some of you may have had run ins with him in the past and know he's fronting. i personally, being a small female, am not willing to take that risk. my cellphone will from now on be with me ALWAYS when I leave the house. Even if it's just to the bodega on the corner.

    be safe and keep an eye out everyone!
  • doctorj
    doctorj
    djuoh wrote: Keith is not a sane person ... Think of him as Lenny (Of Mice and Men).
    You'd like us to imagine him breaking the neck of a young lady? That's a cheery thought.
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