'Gypsy' scammers hitting Chicago area hard this summer
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By Dane Placko, FOX 32 News Investigative Reporter - bio | email
Experts say it's been the busiest summer ever in Chicago for what police call "Gypsy" scams, and senior citizens everywhere need to watch out.
In west-suburban Westchester, police arrested four men who they say were posing as home repair men to try to rip off an elderly woman. Among them, Frank Ely, 67, and his two sons Sam Ely, 45, and Robert Ely, 42. Police say the men are members of a notorious crime family. Frank Ely has been arrested 37 times since 1962.
"I call them terrorists. They're senior citizen terrorists in my opinion," said Westchester Police Chief April Padalik.
Police in Harwood Heights just arrested two men for ripping off an elderly couple. They say the men were finding their victims at a local drug store, and offering to do cheap auto repair work at the victims' home. Once there, police say the scammers asked the elderly people for change for a $20.
"That's a way of finding out where they keep their money," Harwood Heights Detective Jolanta Smith said.
That's when the scammers return to the house, and while one corners the couple in their kitchen, the other steals cash from the victims' bedroom.
Ricky Ziko, 42, is charged with residential burglary. Another man is charged with a misdemeanor in the case.
Police say if you're not sure who someone is, don't let them into your home.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:36 AM EDT2013-06-19 14:36:33 GMT
After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:48 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:48:27 GMT
The body of a white male was found floating in Lake Michigan off the 39th Street beach Wednesday morning. Neither the age nor the identity of the man have been confirmed by Chicago police.
The body of a white male was found floating in Lake Michigan off the 39th Street beach Wednesday morning. Neither the age nor the identity of the man have been confirmed by Chicago police.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:44 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:44:38 GMT
Chicago is at the tipping point, as the showdown continues over CPS closings. The final bell will ring for more than half of the public schools scheduled to close on Friday, under CPS' reorganization plan.
Chicago is at the tipping point, as the showdown continues over CPS closings. The final bell will ring for more than half of the public schools scheduled to close on Friday, under CPS' reorganization plan.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:12 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:12:41 GMT
Chicago Public Schools wrap up classes this week, and that means some of the schools will only be open for a few more days before they are closed as part of the CPS 5-year reorganization plan.
Chicago Public Schools wrap up classes this week, and that means some of the schools will only be open for a few more days before they are closed as part of the CPS 5-year reorganization plan.
