Park Ridge police: More victims of con man out there

Park Ridge police are looking for anyone in the Midwest who may have information about a Chicago man charged with scamming people.

David Ray Wooten was arrested March 7 in Chicago, according to a statement released this week by Park Ridge police, and later charged with two felony counts of theft and one misdemeanor count of theft.

But police said they think he may have operated throughout Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Missouri and that there may be more than 100 victims.

Park Ridge police say Wooten, 63, established a fictitious company in Park Ridge, in order to gain the trust of people he planned to steal from before then taking their vehicles, sports memorabilia, artwork and other items, without providing the agreed-upon compensation. Police said he also would befriend people, often assuming the name of his previous victim, establish credibility, and then commit acts of fraud, according to the statement.

Anyone with information about Wooten is asked to call Park Ridge police at (847) 318-5252.

He is being held on $20,000 bail at the Cook County jail. His next court appearance is May 23 at the Skokie courthouse, according to the jail’s website.