Police: Man faking emergency to scam cash from Aurora businesses

Police have released a photo of a man they say scammed three west suburban businesses out of money by using a fake story about a personal emergency.

The man so far has taken money from three establishments, including two restaurants and a gas station, according to a statement from Aurora police.

In each case, he pretends to make phone calls to the owners of the business in front of employees, police said. He says he is having an emergency and needs help, and tells them the owners gave him permission to borrow money.

The first reported incident happened Sunday about 8:10 p.m. at a restaurant in the 1200 block of North Lake Street, police said.

Police said he tried the scam three more times on Monday: At a hotel in the 2400 block of Sullivan Road at 1:03 a.m.; at a restaurant in the 2900 block of Kirk Road at 5:45 p.m.; and at a gas station in the 1300 block of Butterfield Road at 6:10 p.m.

He got cash from all of his targets except the hotel, police said.

On one occasion, he was seen getting into a gray SUV, similar to a Jeep Renegade, driven by another male.

He is described as a balding white man, 5-foot-5 to 5-foot-10, and 165-190 pounds with a tattoo of a bird or eagle on his right arm, police said. He also has some sort of tattoo on his left arm.

Anyone with information should call Aurora Police at (630) 256-5500, or Crime Stoppers at (630) 892-1000. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and qualify for a reward up to $5,000.