'Serial Hugger' Tricks Women Into Giving Him Birthday Hugs: Criminal or Just Creepy?

by Chris D Posted 2012/07/11 17:00:00

Related Topics: Weird News, hugs, Hugger, Jack the Gripper, John Wayne Embracey, Hug Trick, Unwanted Hug, Giving hugs

314 votes
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	Criminal	22 votes	7%
	Creepy	156 votes	50%
	Funny	136 votes	43%

Women in St. Louis, MO have been complaining about a man pretending to know them and giving them hugs. This is really at the low end of "bad behavior," but area women have been reporting him as "Jack the Gripper" to local police. I don't think anyone will argue that the serial hugger is engaging in bad behavior, but does it constitute a crime?

ABCNEWS.GO.COM reports:
Jack the Gripper? John Wayne Embracey? Those were two names suggested by the St. Louis weekly Riverfront Times for an unidentified man accused of tricking dozens of women into giving him hugs in grocery stores. The serial hugger is still on the loose as St. Louis County prosecutors review reports of his unwanted advances submitted by police in at least two nearby suburbs.

louis county prosecutors review reports advances submitted police nearby suburbs

+22

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k fleming 2012/07/11 19:03:25 (edited)

Funny

+10
Funny and creepy and a little sad.

I'm sure the guy hasn't been able to get dates and just kinda lost it a little.

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More polls by Chris D

Queen Anne's Revenge 2012/07/11 19:14:46

Creepy

+2
but a bit funny? ;)

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k fleming 2012/07/11 19:03:25 (edited)

Funny

+10
Funny and creepy and a little sad.

I'm sure the guy hasn't been able to get dates and just kinda lost it a little.

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Eyes See Wide North 2012/07/11 19:02:35

Funny

+6
The American way of life = Taking things way too seriously

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krayzrick 2012/07/11 18:58:21

Funny

+3
maybe not so creepy if his junk wasn't hanging out...

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ellomotto 2012/07/11 18:58:06

Creepy

+4
Creepers be creepin'

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tobe 2012/07/11 18:56:34

Creepy

I hate having my personal space invaded by strangers. I know alot of people who feel that way. I use to go to church with a guy like that. He'd go up to every woman in the church and hug them wether they wanted him to or not. Some people were ok with it, some were not and talked in through the back door to avoid him. Im not a hugger generally speaking but i wouldn't be going to some strange girl trying to hug her.

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Superman 2012/07/11 18:53:15

Funny

+4
I live in St Louis and this is hilarious. Compared to the "make meth in a Walmart jail cell then get caught a week later making meth at a gas station" lady this guy is a Saint. I get a chuckle any time I think about it.

Now, it is a bit creepy considering who wants random hugs and why lie about it?

That said, though, how is this any different or worse than the weekly/daily situation of people going to bars and lying about who they are to get laid?

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JDreDaCookieMonster 2012/07/11 18:49:55

Funny

+4
Until it turns into something worse!

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Sam DePecan 2012/07/11 18:49:15

Criminal

Recently there was a man who was something similar to that in San Francisco. The women who fell victim to him could only describe him as "EXTREMELY UGLY!" . . . Finally, a Security Camera picked up some of his activity. The Police rushed in and made the arrest. The Ugly Man was apprehended and never ever seen again on the Streets of San Francisco. Of course, this is not Michael Douglas or Karl Malden. It's the real thing.

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whispering hands 2012/07/11 18:41:33

Funny

+5
I had no idea hugging - the act of embracing someone in a loving way, is such a criminal act. Ha, i would be flattered if someone wanted to hug me because i'm an ugly loser.

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hannah to whisper... 2012/07/11 20:58:50

aww dont say that. your not ugly or a loser. :)

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Lerro DeHazel 2012/07/11 18:41:01

Criminal

Extremely Criminal and is a form of indecency; as well as bacteria-spreading, and the passing-of-germs. If a woman (Victim) kills him, then she should not have to face court for murder, as it was indeed a form of self-defense. She was actually protecting herself, and members of her family. Medical Science has already proven that man is really, really, really stupid; when it comes to prevention of spreading contangeous Diseases. You might want to look at the History of Man On The Planet Earth.

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gregory.ditzler 2012/07/11 18:33:19

Creepy

+1
More like Michael Grab-Some, still creepy.

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Cameryn 2012/07/11 18:31:35

Funny

+4
He just wants a hug...

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mizzSHADYgirl 2012/07/11 18:30:34

Creepy

+4
But it's kinda funny. "Jack the Gripper" lol

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Zuggi 2012/07/11 18:27:02

Creepy

+3
Is he copping a feel? That'd certainly raise it to a criminal level.

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Cellar Door 2012/07/11 18:19:51

Funny

+5
Jack the Gripper
John Wayne Embracey

LSDKJFSDF I CAN'T
I think it's kinda funny..

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Brendakp to Cellar ... 2012/07/12 00:01:53

+1
Too funny! John Wayne Embracey, bwah, ha, ha

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All American 2012/07/11 18:17:57

Creepy

+3
Both creepy and funny. He's just trying to cop a free feel, that's all.

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Bulanov... to All Ame... 2012/07/11 18:30:43 (edited)

Yeah, that's called assault. If someone did that to your wife, daughter, sister, mother, I doubt you'd excuse it so lightly.

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All Ame... to Bulanov... 2012/07/11 21:27:52 (edited)

+1
Have you had your hug today?

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Katie Ayers 2012/07/11 18:11:30

Funny

+4
Seriously? The cops should find him and tell him to knock it the hell off. But criminal? I am sure we can find someone better to prosecute and waste time and money on! Lmao

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SOUL4REAL 2012/07/11 18:06:35

Creepy

+2
He missing something in his life! "Jail"! :))

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Mikewlf337 2012/07/11 18:04:39 (edited)

Funny

+3
I wouldn't do it. Yes it is creepy. He should stop doing that. It isn't right.

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Rubyking 2012/07/11 17:58:07

Creepy

+2
it's just a hug

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XRenX 2012/07/11 17:56:13

Creepy

+1
Nasty self.

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YeahISaidIt 2012/07/11 17:56:08

Creepy

+7
Honestly if I don't know you and you hug me out of the blue while claiming YOU know ME, you're getting slapped.

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Brendakp to YeahISa... 2012/07/12 00:02:34

+1
Hear, hear!

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_Ganjaa 2012/07/11 17:15:24

Funny

+6
As long as he is not progressing to something more then bring on the hugs !

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mk, Smartass Oracle 2012/07/11 17:12:23

Creepy

+2
It is creepy but a crime? I'm no lawyer and don't really know. But the way tings have been going in America, it may be. I see posts by women that call all men rapists. They complain of rape by men's eyes. For the record I only hug women and girls in my family.

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I. Car Rus to mk, Sma... 2012/07/11 19:52:12

+1
probably not a crime unless genitals or breasts were touched. the old adage applies: Caveat Emptor even when it comes to hugs.

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mk, Sma... to I. Car Rus 2012/07/12 14:17:37

+1
As I stated , I only hug women and girls in my family. Everyone else gets a smile and a handshake , no more. We are living in a very toxic legal environment.

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Chris D 2012/07/11 17:04:01

Creepy

+5
I have to go with Creepy, if the hug was consensual, even if it was a trick that might not be a crime...although he might watch out for an angry boyfriend or husband taking the law into their own hands...

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