Homeless Man Cons Seniors Out Of Hotel Stays, Luxury Cars: Cops

SKOKIE, IL — Skokie police announced the arrest of a homeless man who they said has been scamming elderly victims into paying for his hotel rooms and other items across the country since 1992. Police said the man typically befriends his victims after meeting them at church or at a hospital before convincing them to pay for his hotel stays.

Marin Ghimes, 62, has also used the aliases "Michael Messina" and "Peter Deluca," police said. He "presents himself as wheelchair bound" and may have gotten help from an accomplice, according to police. Police said he has also been able to con victims into buying luxury vehicles with promises of repayment.

Prosecutors Friday approved a single felony count of theft by deception against Ghimes. He currently faces six non-extraditable warrants from Texas and Florida for similar crimes, including larceny and grand theft.

Police began looking into his activities in Skokie Wednesday, when police were notified about his involvement in a "suspicious incident." The investigation determined he had failed to reimburse an elderly person for charges he racked up at the Double Tree in the 9500 block of Skokie Blvd. Recently, Ghimes was also seen at Skokie Hospital and Alexian Brothers Hospital, according to police.

According to the Cook County Sheriff's Office, Ghimes was booked into the jail's hospital on Nov. 2 and ordered held without bond ahead of a Nov. 13 court appearance.

UPDATE: Fugitive Serial Con Man Claimed To Be Millionaire: Police Reports