DES PERES • A man believed to have duped St. Louis-area women into giving him hugs was questioned by police Wednesday and released.

Police said they may seek charges against him this week.

Police say the man approached women in area stores and, pretending to know them from long ago, asked for a simple embrace. Later the hug-givers realized they were duped.

In one recent case, a woman called authorities June 12 and said she was approached by a man inside the Schnucks store at 12332 Manchester Road, according to Des Peres Police Capt. Charles Milano.

“He approached her in one of the aisles and asked her if she remembered him from the old neighborhood,” Milano said. “She tried to figure out if she knew him.”

The man gave the woman a last name that authorities believe is fake.

“He said, ‘Today is my birthday. Will you give me a hug?’” Milano said.

Milano said the woman gave the man a normal hug. But after going home and thinking about it, the woman called police.