Police warn of man claiming to be veteran and asking for money

WESTMINSTER, Mass. — Police are warning about a man who is falsely portraying himself as a veteran and asking for money.

James Schuder, 50, wears fatigues and says he is a Marine, but officers in Westminster say that’s not true. He’s been spotted walking along Main Street carrying a gas can, stopping cars.

"We have no complaints that he’s a harm to anybody, but he's going to try to con you out of some money,” Westminster Police Chief Salvatore Albert said.

One officer, an actual Marine veteran, spotted Schuder walking along the road late at night and stopped to ask him some questions. Schuder allegedly shared a tale of woe, and after a series of questions about his service, the officer noticed some inconsistences and decided to do some research.

“Just by chance he knew something was up with this guy, did a Google search, and saw a past history from at least the last seven years coming from Indianapolis and Tennessee,” Albert said.

When Boston 25 News confronted Schuder at the motel where he has been staying, he refused comment and closed the door on a reporter.

Hotel guests and management at the motel want Schruder gone.

“That’s pretty low, especially with what people go through that serve, that’s pretty low,” guest Monica Jones said.

Schuder has warrants in other states but they are not extraditable, so police here can’t do much other warn the public about him, as so far he has not committed any crimes.

Cox Media Group