PITTSBURGH — Police are looking for a man accused of trying to scam several local people and businesses into buying non-existent Steelers tickets.
Authorities said the suspect tells the victims that he works for the Steelers and that his father is an ex-player.
According to police, he says he is selling tickets and passes at a cheap price, but when the victim gives him money, he leaves.
Hannah Butler, who works at the Elbow Room on Walnut Street in Shadyside, said the suspect approached her about the tickets, but she didn’t fall for it. “It was a little creepy. I could tell he was being weird about it,” Butler said.
According to Butler, the man first offered her Pirates tickets.
“He said he could get them two tickets for $10. That’s a little ridiculous.”
Butler told police that when she declined, he offered to sell her Steelers tickets.
“He tried to offer me season tickets, the entire season, for $150,” Butler said.
Butler described the man as a very fast talker, and an overly-friendly person. She told Channel 11 News that another man lost $100 as a deposit.
Officials said the man agreed to sell four Steelers tickets for $240. When the victim paid a $100 deposit, the suspect never returned with the tickets.
“He said he’d be right back with them and he never came back,” Butler said. “He took the money and ran.”
According to Butler, the man also didn’t pay for his bar bill at the restaurant.
Officials said the suspect is a black male, about 35 to 45 years old, standing about 5-feet 7-inches to 5-feet 10-inches tall. He has a shaved head or very short hair, with a possible goatee.
Anyone with information on the suspect or scam is asked to contact police.
A representative for the Pittsburgh Steelers said Monday that, “Fans are advised to only purchase tickets from the Steelers ticket office or access the team’s online ticket-exchange service.”