Man Begs Money for Cigarettes While Pretending to be Homeless: Cops

A man was charged with soliciting where prohibited after he was caught asking motorists for money at 87th Street and Cicero Avenue, reports said.

Police said that officers observed James M. Crouse, 55, of Oak Lawn, known to them as a crack cocaine user from previous encounters, holding a cardboard sign begging for money around 4:43 p.m. Oct. 11.

According to the report, officers reminded Crouse of the numerous warnings he has been given in the past several months about soliciting without a permit.

Crouse said he still lives with his mother in the 8700 block of South Sproat and is not homeless, as his sign purported, reports said.

He allegedly admitted that he was panhandling for money to buy a pack of cigarettes. Crouse was issued a ticket for soliciting without a permit. He has a hearing at Oak Lawn Village Hall on Nov. 3.