Man scams fans out of $29K in sports tickets

CHICAGO (STMW) -- A Lincoln Park neighborhood man was charged early Thursday with felony theft for allegedly scamming five people out of playoff tickets for the Blackhawks and season tickets for the Bears and Cubs since Aug. of 2008, police said.Joe Richko, 26, of 2150 N. Lincoln Park West, was charged at 1:30 a.m. with five counts of felony theft, according to police who said Richko also had five warrants. Richko was arrested Tuesday at 7 p.m. at 1154 N. Dearborn St.

Police said Richko, who listed his occupation as a laborer, is accused of stealing money for the tickets from five different people from Aug. 2008 to earlier this month. In all five incidents he took their money -- a total of a $29,600 -- but never came through with the tickets or refund requests.

Between Aug. 8, 2008 and Jan. 13, 2009, Richko allegedly received $13,620 from one man in exchange for 2009 Chicago Cubs season tickets, according to a police report. Also on Aug. 8, 2008, one victim gave Richko $5,800 in exchange for sporting event tickets.

On Aug. 25, 2009, Richko allegedly took $3,680 from another man for Chicago Bears season tickets and on July 7, 2009 he received $1,500 from another victim for Chicago Bears season tickets, according to the report.

A woman allegedly gave him $5,000 in exchange for Chicago Blackhawk playoff tickets and 2010 Chicago Bears season tickets between April 30, and June 4 of this year, the report said.

Richko never provided the tickets.

Harrison Area detectives are investigating.