Piggyback Bandit Banned From High School Events in Five States
A man has been banned from attending athletic events in high schools in five states after it was revealed that he randomly would show up to games and ask for "piggybacks" from players.
"He helped lay out uniforms, got water. He even gave a couple of kids shoulder massages. Creepy stuff like that," said Jim Haussler, activities director for the Bismarck Public School District.
Various reports state that after the games would draw to a close the man would join in the winning team's celebration. He would then ask if he could get a piggyback ride and then players, not knowing exactly how to proceed, would give it to him, according to AP.
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"He makes himself appear as if he's limited or handicapped. I think he plays an empathy card, so to speak," Haussler said. "We didn't realize what we were dealing with until several days later."
The "Piggyback Bandit" was identified as Sherwin Shayegan, 28, of Bothell, Wash. He is known for his bizarre antics which include high school sports teams. After the game he puts his 5 foot, 8 inches, 240 pound body onto the backs of the athletes that think he is just a supportive fan.
Shayegan's has reportedly been doing this since 2008 and had originally only happened in Washington and Oregon. New reports state that he has moved west visiting teams in Montana, North Dakota and Minnesota.
Shayegan currently has nine warrants for his arrest in Wash. Since the news of this spread he has already been banned high school sporting events in Wash., Ore., Mont., N.D. and Minn., as reported by AP.
"He's certainly socially awkward in any social setting. But he's also not afraid to approach people. It doesn't take very long to find out he's a little bit different," said Mike Colbrese, the executive director of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.
"What people don't realize is that he's very smart. He knows how to play the system. He just knows what to say and how to say it."
