Yakima Panhandler Found Dead in Car With $1,700 Cash + $82K Worth of Heroin

Yakima Police have warned people for years not to give directly to panhandlers saying many aren't actually homeless. Police say the recent death of a well-known panhandler is proof.

Capt. Rod Light says 56-year-old Douglas Budd, a well-known panhandler that worked the area of First Street and Nob Hill was found dead in his car on East Yakima Avenue Tuesday. Light says the man died of a drug overdose. He says officers found $1,700 in cash and a half pound of heroin with a street value of more than $82,000.

Officers were called to the scene after someone saw Budd in the car. A needle was still in his arm.