Tyler Duncan, originally from Texas, has temporarily made himself a local face around DeKalb.

“We have received numerous complaints about him from people in the area who have lent him money and have not been paid back,” DeKalb police Sgt. Jason Leverton said.

Last Monday, Duncan was apprehended by Sycamore police at 6 a.m. He was stopped by police while driving 14 mph in a 55 mph zone on Annie Glidden Road just north of Bethany Road.

Duncan was arrested for two charges, DeKalb County Sheriff Roger Scott said. The first charge was driving without a valid driver’s license and unlawful use of a knife, because he had a switchblade in his possession.

On earlier dates, Duncan has been reported approaching random people in the area and asking them for money so he can get home to Texas, Leverton said.

“He told me that he had a family emergency and he needed to get home to Texas,” said DeKalb resident Becky Miller.

Duncan approached Miller’s car while she parallel parked on Regent Drive near Echo Park, she said.

He introduced himself and said he was in a weird situation. Then he explained why he needed to borrow some money and offered to pay the sum back via wire transfer, Miller said.

Miller gave Duncan $10 and her cell phone number. Duncan never contacted her, she said.

DeKalb resident Nathan Johnston said he had a similar encounter with Duncan.

Johnston was using the ATM at Castle Bank, 121 W. Lincoln Highway, when Duncan drove up in a car and began to introduce himself, he said.

“I gave him $10 and my cell phone number because he promised to pay me back,” Johnston said.

Duncan provided Johnston with his social security number, a non-working cell phone number and his home address in Lubbock, Texas as collateral for Johnston’s money, he said.

The address Duncan provided was to his father Richard Duncan.

“There is no family emergency and we don’t expect our son home anytime soon,” Richard Duncan said.

Duncan never contacted Johnston after their encounter, Johnston said.

Complainants have expected action to be taken against Duncan, but his mode of operations remains outside of police jurisdiction.

“Asking to borrow money doesn’t constitute a criminal action,” Leverton said. “We can only suggest not to give him money.”