Was he a killer or a scavenger?

A man was arrested for allegedly possessing an ATM card belonging to Richard Sprague, the victim of a heartbreaking and mysterious homicide in the Mission district Sunday, police said Wednesday.

The suspect, whose identity has not been released, has been charged with felony possession of stolen property, police Officer Albie Esparza said Wednesday.

The suspect has not been charged with murder, Esparza said. Police would not say whether he remains a suspect in Sprague’s killing.

“The investigation is still very active,” Esparza said.

Sprague, a 47-year-old San Francisco resident, cried for help as he lay dying on the sidewalk in the 100 block of Julian Avenue near 15th Street about 2:30 a.m. Sunday. Despite several neighbors saying they heard his pleas, no one called police until 7:42 a.m., Esparza said.

Regretful neighbors said they figured someone would have aided him since the block is well-populated. The neighbor who eventually called police said she initially thought he was passed out from a night of partying, but noticed bruising and swelling after taking a closer look.

maldax@sfexaminer.com