Man charged in Cubs tickets scam
A 69-year-old Chicago man with a history of theft and forgery dating back 49 years is being held on $100,000 bail after authorities say he promised Chicago Cubs tickets and passes last June to employees of a Barrington jewelry store and a car dealership in exchange for cash.
Vincentio Provenzano, of the 1200 block of South Fairfield Avenue, cashed two separate checks for $278, but he never delivered the tickets, said Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Jennifer Walsh during his bail hearing Monday on charges of theft. A Class 4 felony theft carries a possible sentence of one to three years in prison. Probation is also an option.
In setting Provenzano's bail, Cook County Judge Kay Hanlon cited outstanding warrants from DuPage and Lake counties as well as Provenzano's lengthy criminal background, which includes charges that he escaped from custody in Illinois, failed to appear to face charges in Texas, violated probation in Wisconsin and violated parole in Arizona.
“The risk of flight is great, from what I'm hearing,” Hanlon said.
Provenzano entered the Buick dealership on the pretense of purchasing a vehicle, said Dan Marquardt, co-owner of Marquardt of Barrington. Provenzano portrayed himself as a “high roller,” telling a salesman he had received a large legal settlement and showing the salesman a deposit slip to support the claim, Marquardt said.
Provenzano mentioned the name of Marquardt's late father and of the company's former legal representative, which suggested he was a repeat customer, Marquardt said.
“We have a great clientele,” Marquardt said. “We have long-standing relationships with clients, and he acted the part well.”
During the negotiations, Provenzano said a family member worked as a trainer for the Cubs and offered to get the dealership tickets and special access passes to the crosstown series between the Cubs and the White Sox, Marquardt said.
Having sold cars to legitimate Cubs employees in the past, the salesman believed Provenzano, Marquardt said.
Marquardt and the jewelry store owner, who asked not to be identified, praised Barrington detective Lori Allsteadt and Detective Sgt. Kevin Croke for their efforts.
“We didn't want to let it go. Even though he's a senior citizen, he's a menace,” Croke said.
“These are two smart businessmen. They run successful businesses. But he is very successful at what he does.”
Provenzano adjusted his con according to the current sports season and he targeted other affluent communities besides Barrington, including Libertyville, Highland Park and Homewood, Croke said.
To find him, Barrington police enlisted help from the U.S. marshals office, who located him in Chicago last week and turned him over.
Prosecutors described 17 convictions in Illinois and other states, most for theft, deceptive practices and forgery. In 1977, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison for escaping from custody, Walsh said. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2005 for a vehicular felony about which prosecutors did not elaborate.
Provenzano must post $10,000 to be released from Cook County jail. He next appears in court on Sept. 2.