Westland Man Arrested For Fraud In Sidewalk Repair Scam
WESTLAND (WWJ) - A Westland man has been arrested after police say he ripped off an elderly woman.
Tony Ross, 38, was investigated by police after concerned neighbors tipped them off to the scam.
Police say Ross approached the 83-year-old victim at her Westland home and convinced her that she urgently needed sidewalk repairs, saying if she didn't get the concrete fixed the damage would become much worse and cost her more money.
Police say Ross exaggerated the problem, took $3,500 from the woman and then never completed the job.
He was arraigned in 18th District Court Friday on one felony charge of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult and one felony count of using false pretenses to obtain money — habitual offender, second offense.
Ross was released on bond and will be back in court for preliminary exam on Thursday, Aug. 13.
Westland police, meantime, are urging local residents to share this story with elderly relatives or friends who may be a little too trusting of strangers, warning that there are crooks who specifically target senior citizens believing that they have saved money for retirement — their "nest egg."
[The FBI has compiled a list of commonly used scams that specifically target the elderly, HERE].