Mystery man handing out cash at gas stations

BRANDON -- Customers at a Mobil gas station on Bloomingdale Avenue say they got cash from a well-dressed mystery man while filling up at the pump, according to a store clerk.

Two people, a male cabbie and a woman driver, reported receiving cash from a man wearing a shirt and tie. The woman told clerks at the Mobil station, 936 E Bloomingdale Ave., she received $55.  One customer refused the money.

The man hopped in a pickup truck and drove off around 8:45 a.m.

Assistant manager Francisco Espel said nothing like that's happened during his three years at the Mobil station. Clerks at nearby gas stations said no one handed out money to their customers today.

According to the MJ radio show on WFLZ-93.3 FM, callers also reported the same thing happening at a St. Petersburg-area RaceTrac gas station. Reached this morning, clerks at several RaceTrac stations in St. Petersburg said their customers are abuzz with the prospect, although no one has seen the man.

-- Casey Cora, Times staff writer

Have you seen the mystery donor? Let us know. Send an email to ccora@sptimes.com

Comments

[Jerame]

Yes, I saw him! He was in a star spangled suit with a big top hat! My runin was a little different than the one stated in the story. He actually stuck his hands in my pockets and TOOK all of my money. Called himself Uncle Sam.

[CLD]

That's funny Jerame, I run into that same guy once a week. I thought it was coincidental!

[Publius]

As long as no one is being asked for anything or asked to do anything in return for the money what harm does it do? Maybe it isn't the most common thing we've ever seen but so what? If he gets satisfaction out of giving money to others I say more power to him.

[Fugilebrity]

Interesting.

Maybe he is a modern day Robin Hood, stealing from the rich and giving to the poor.

Would that make recipients accessories to his crime?

[RU4 Real]

Yeah I saw this mystery guy too a the Shell gas station in Brandon, he handed me a note that said "You've been punked". I looked him in the eyes and told him NS, the gas companies in America have been doing that for years to all of us.
He smiled and replied "not like we will be soon".

[Damien]

This was probably a staged event done by MJ himself -- Seriously, who goes around giving out money? When the ratings start to slip, I guess it makes sense to create a sensation.

If it WERE a Good Samaritan, don't you think he/she would choose a more philanthropic way to distribute money?

[Mothman]

I saw him too, he looked like a moth.

[Cindi]

Random act of kindness, you don't see that happen often anymore. I think it's great. kudos to you who ever you are and more people should follow suite.

[suzieq]

you are all ignorant and unhappy people. have you ever thought that just maybe someone could be kind and caring

[Dave Ramsey Fan]

Listen to Dave Ramsey -1040AM - He always talks about when you become rich from being debt free that this is something you can do. Dave does this all the time in Nashville. People get great joy from doing this - giving to the common people and not a corporate "non profit".

I also saw him, he said he was Charlie Crist "The People's Governor"

[Thecookie]

Please -- tell him to drive south!!
http://lifeisacookie.wordpress.com/2008/05/07/free-money/

[weird Al]

This guy is an escaped petrofile. He use to work for a big oil company.

If your really lucky he will also buy you lottery tickets and let you have a slurpie.

Be careful,this all may be innocent or this guy could be a complete wacko!!

[Bob]

Can'be Charlie Crist. He's in the hospital getting his head removed from McCain's butt