Attacker claims Puddle of Mudd affiliation

BETHESDA, Md., Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Police nationwide are on the lookout for a man who posed as Puddle of Mudd guitarist Paul Phillips and threatened two women in Illinois.

The women were accosted by the gun-wielding imposter within nine hours of each other June 7 in the Illinois cities of Carbondale and Ullin, the Fox TV show, "America's Most Wanted," reported on its Web site.

The bearded suspect wearing sunglasses identified himself as Phillips, then pulled out a gun and demanded the women accompany him, the Web site said.

In both cases, the victims were able to break free and were physically unharmed.

Phillips, who recently left Puddle of Mudd for the band Operator, told "America's Most Wanted" he was horrified a criminal would use his name to terrorize women.

"I'm in the music industry so I've seen some crazy things," he said. "I've done some crazy things, you know, had a good time, had a lot of weird experiences, but nothing like somebody impersonating me," he said.

Police told the TV show the suspect probably left Illinois and will most likely repeat his criminal performance until he is caught.