Panhandler Arrested in Vehicle Scam on I-95 Near Jessup

JESSUP, MD — A man who claimed his car broke down along Interstate 95 near Jessup and asked drivers for money was running a scam, according to Maryland State Police. Authorities say Alexandru Catalin, 26, of Baltimore, pretended his vehicle was disabled, flagged down passing drivers and begged for money. A trooper arrested Catalin and charged him with disorderly conduct.

Shortly after 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, a Maryland State Police trooper was driving on the ramp from westbound Route 32 to southbound I-95 near Jessup when he saw two vehicles on the right shoulder of the ramp. The first vehicle was a Hyundai Santa Fe and the second vehicle, a gray sedan, was about 200 feet in front of the Hyundai SUV.

According to a news release, the trooper saw Catalin standing at the driver's side of the sedan. As the trooper drove by, he saw several cars slow down because of the stopped vehicles on the ramp's shoulder.

Catalin was taken to the Commissioner’s Office and released without bond. His vehicle was a rental, which police say seems to be a common theme with panhandlers.

Maryland State Police warn drivers not to stop on exit ramps for individuals allegedly flagging down vehicles for help. These incidents cause major traffic delays and crashes on the ramps.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Maryland State Police at (301) 345-3101.

»Patch file photo