A Winnipeg jogger approached by a strange man not once, but twice after finding a large sum of money laying on the ground wants to warn others about her encounters.

The case has tweaked the interest of Winnipeg police who have received reports indicating the strange scenario has played out at least three times on Wellington Crescent.

It was a Sunday afternoon last month with Wellington Crescent closed to vehicle traffic when jogger Amory Steek first discovered around $5,000 cash lying on the crescent’s popular running path.

Moments after she picked up the money which was in a small black wallet, a man approached her and claimed the cash belonged to him.

"He just said to me, ‘have you found a wallet?’ and I said ‘like this one?’ and I gave it to him and I think he said, ‘thank you,’” said Steek. “He was kind enough and I just thought wow, what a strange scenario."

The man was on a bike and Steek said she saw him earlier during her run before the encounter.

The man didn't do anything to her but two weeks later Steek said the same man approached her near Assiniboine Park after she found the same wallet with even more money inside.

After that incident, she went to police.

"I just thought who is this person? How can you be this irresponsible?” said Steek. “Who carries around this amount of money and keeps losing it. It's too coincidental and it's too coincidental that both times I found it he happened to be right there."

Winnipeg police have received three reports in the past week from women who've had similar encounters.

Const. Jason Michalyshen said the man hasn't committed a crime but officers want to speak with him and learn more about his intentions.

"We want members of the public to be aware that we have an individual who appears to be baiting by placing money in a public space,” said Michalyshen. “It's obviously attracting attention and for whatever reason he's interacting with them."

Carrie Snelling runs in the same area. Hearing what's happened has left her shaken.

"I think it's kind of scary,” said Snelling. “I run alone…don't know what's going to happen."

Snelling said she always makes sure to carry a cellphone with her when she runs alone.

Steek hopes sharing her story will help others steer clear of trouble.

"The reason I spoke out is I don't want there to be a crime committed,” said Steek. “I don't want women to feel nervous and have to be looking over their shoulder when they're out exercising."

Steek said the incident has changed her running habits. She will no longer run by herself.

Police suggest runners stay alert to their surroundings and stick to well-lit, popular routes and try to run with others.

The man is described as white, in his late thirties to early forties, about five feet seven inches tall (170 cm), slim build, grey/balding short hair, scruffy facial hair. In one case, the man was wearing khaki-coloured shorts and a striped polo shirt.

Another time he was seen on a dark-coloured bike and wearing a baseball cap.

Anyone with information can contact police at 204-986-6222 or 911, if necessary.

Police also released safety tips on their website.