Good Samaritan Swindled by Stranger in Big Lots Store: Blotter

A Chicago Heights man believes he was conned out of $70 but a stranger with a sad story to tell inside the Homewood Big Lots store.

The victim was approached at about 5:17 p.m on Aug. 6 in the store, located at 3055 183rd St., by a man who claimed his friend was in a car accident and that he needed cab fare to visit Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, according to a Homewood police report. The stranger claimed to be friends with the victim's neighbor.

In an act of generosity, the victim pulled out a $20 bill and handed it to the stranger, the report states.

"That's not enough. I need at least $50," the ungrateful stranger reportedly said.

The victim pulled out a $50 bill, handed it to the stranger and took the $20 bill back, the report states. That's when the stranger grabbed the $20 bill and said he needed that money, too. It wasn't until the stranger walked away that the victim realized he likely had been swindled.

Police spoke with employees at the Jewel grocery store, who said kicked out a man who had tried to use the same story.

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