Crime & Safety

Police: Group of Gypsies Scamming Oak Creek Residents, Businesses

An Oak Creek business lost $15,000 to a group purporting to be from a paving company.

Oak Creek police say a group of English Travellers, or gypsies, is in the community purporting to be from a paving company and attempting to scam residents and businesses out of money. 

Police were alerted to their presence in Oak Creek on Tuesday, said Kim Bogadi of the department's community resource bureau.

The group is claiming to be with A1 Paving Company, she said, and are using persistent and intimidating techniques to get people to agree to have work done. They often then use inferior materials and substandard workmanship. 

In one incident, an Oak Creek business lost $15,000, Bogadi said. 

Police say anyone who sees vehicles in the area with paving equipment on them should take note of a license plate and any information on the sides of the vehicle. 

The name of their company is usually on a magnetic sign instead of painted on the vehicles. 

People who made contact with the company, scheduled a paving project, had work completed by this group or see them working in the area should call the Oak Creek Police Department at (414) 762-8200, and ask for Detective Ann Golombowski or the shift supervisor. 


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