Missing HBO docuseries star Patrick Pespas reportedly visited Ross bar
Missing HBO docuseries star Patrick J. Pespas of “Telemarketers” reportedly was at a Ross bar Saturday evening, according to one of the series’ co-directors.
On Saturday, Adam Bhala Lough, who made “Telemarketers” with Sam Lipman-Stern, posted to X, formerly Twitter, that Pespas has been missing since Friday and that he was seen at Knuckleheads and left about 10 p.m. Saturday.
However, if that actually is the case remains unknown.
Ross Deputy Police Chief Brian Kholhepp confirmed Tuesday his department was aware of social media posts about Pespas being in the area.
We have a potential lead- someone claims to have spotted Pat in a bar in Pittsburgh last night called Knuckleheads near Ross Township. If anyone can confirm that please let me know.
— Bhala (@AdamBhalaLough) October 1, 2023
“We were made aware of the Facebook reply, indicating that this individual was seen in our jurisdiction,” Kholhepp wrote via email to the Tribune-Review. “We investigated this claim and have been unable to corroborate or substantiate it. In addition, we have not been contacted by any law enforcement agency requesting our assistance or information.”
An assistant manager at the bar Tuesday afternoon, who identified herself only as Corrina, said the establishment shared video footage with police and “we’re completely cooperating with the police.”
Pespas might have been driving a white Mustang with New Jersey license plates.
Bhala Lough posted to X that Pespas also was seen in Easton, Pa.
Pat is missing, and Sue, his family and friends are very worried about him. Please put out the word that Pat is missing and help us find him. He was last seen in the Easton, PA area. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/cgT56msmeX
— Bhala (@AdamBhalaLough) October 1, 2023
Easton police Lt. Matthew Gerould told the Los Angeles Times on Monday they have not been able to confirm the Pittsburgh sighting and do not believe it to be accurate. Authorities believe Pespas most likely is still in the Easton area or in New Jersey.
The docuseries chronicles the 20-year journey of two unlikely employees who stumble upon the truth behind a seedy New Jersey call center.
The three-part documentary features raw eyewitness footage and a comedic cast of characters.
An activist who starred in an HBO documentary has gone missing. Pat Pespas was in the HBO docuseries "Telemarketers." pic.twitter.com/UomV0WLIMC
— Inside Edition (@InsideEdition) October 3, 2023
“Telemarketers” shows Pespas, now 54, transformed from a drug addict whose phone skills in the early 2000s make him a call-center hero, evoking a “righteous anger about the fraudulent nature of the work he once did, how it preyed on elderly donors on fixed incomes and failed to benefit police officers or their families. But Pespas also is an unreliable addict who often disappears — “Telemarketers” suggests he is off getting high — including during a scheduled interview for the series,” according to an August Tribune-Review review of the show.
Bhala Lough posted Tuesday a thank-you to the community for their support and encouraged people to send any tips or sightings to findpatpespas@gmail.com.
Michael DiVittorio is a TribLive reporter covering general news in Western Pennsylvania, with a penchant for festivals and food. He can be reached at mdivittorio@triblive.com.
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