Police Still Seeking Alleged Panhandler

Golden Valley police are still asking for help in the search for a suspect wanted on eight separate warrants who has been recently spotted in Southwest Minneapolis, as well as St. Louis Park.

Mark Christopher Bell, 50, is wanted for theft and swindle. He's been arrested several times by various departments, but he has reportedly continued to try to con people in the west metro and missed a court hearing earlier this spring. His most recent contacts with police have been in Golden Valley.

"Mr. Bell typically goes door-to-door asking for money saying he needs help because his car has broken down or his vehicle has been impounded," according to a statement from the city of Minneapolis. "He often states that he was on his way home from church when the incident occurred."

He's been convicted in 17 cases ranging from robbery to forgery since 1983, according to Hennepin County records.

"Bell is a black male, 50 years old, 6-feet tall, medium to heavy build, with a mustache and short black hair which is graying around the hair line," the Minneapolis statement continues. The city's statement described Bell as well-dressed and polite.

"He was polite and well-groomed with an elaborate story, not the usual panhandler type you would expect," said St. Louis Park resident Kerri Adelmann, who gave Bell $40 earlier this year. "I am not the type to fall for this stuff.

"I really believed he needed help."

Police are asking anyone that sees Bell to call 911 immediately.