Fix-A-Dent Scammer At Elmhurst Store Nearly Caught

ELMHURST, IL – A scammer approached a man in the parking lot at an Elmhurst grocery store this week and offered to fix a dent that the man was unaware of, police said.

About 3 p.m. Monday at Jewel, 944 S. York St., the suspect told the victim he could repair the dent in the victim's car for cheaper than the dealership, according to a police report.

The victim told police he was unaware of previous damage. But the suspect showed the victim the dent, used a suction cup to pull out the dent and put an unknown substance on it, police said. Then the suspect asked for payment.

The victim drove the suspect to the police station, which is more than two miles away. Once there, the suspect jumped out and entered a black Jeep Cherokee without license plates, police said.

Officers found the Jeep near Interstate 290, where the driver sped away, police said.

This scam has been around a while. The Better Business Bureau describes the scheme on its website.