Burr Ridge Worker Stops Scam Against Elderly Woman

BURR RIDGE, IL – A Burr Ridge public works employee is being credited with stopping an elderly woman from being scammed out of money.

In the early afternoon of April 29, employee Richard Scherer was on a work break at the 7-Eleven at 535 Joliet Road in Willowbrook when he witnessed an elderly woman buying numerous gift cards, police said.

Scherer believed the woman was the possible victim of a scam.

After Scherer contacted police, a Willowbrook officer showed up and confirmed the woman was the victim of a scammer who persuaded her to buy the gift cards, which is a common scheme, police said.

The investigation resulted in the scam being thwarted.

In a letter to Burr Ridge officials, Willowbrook Police Chief Lauren Kaspar said Scherer was able to immediately identify a criminal act unfolding and contact the police.

"Mr. Scherer's kindness, compassion and willingness to help someone in need is to be commended," Kaspar said.

Burr Ridge Administrator Evan Walter told the Village Board about Scherer's actions at Monday's Village Board meeting. He said the state's police chiefs association plans to honor Scherer with an award.

"Some pretty fine work from Rich, who, despite not being an officer of our department, still took time to recognize the person in need around him and stepped in to make sure that no harm came to that particular resident," Walter said.