Man Charged for Trying to Defraud Brookfield Resident

A Friendship man was charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court for allegedly defrauding a Brookfield man who was trying to buy antique gas pumps.

According to the criminal complaint, in March 2010 Gary L. Tracy Jr., 42, contacted a Brookfield man who had an ad in local newspapers seeking to buy antique gas pumps. Tracy claimed he knew a widow who was selling a collection of gas pumps for $400 and Tracy would purchase them if he was wired the money.

The victim sent the money and the next day Tracy contacted him again saying the widow had pump globes she would be willing to sell for an additional $400. The victim agreed, and Tracy requested the money be wired to his mother.

The victim then tried to contact Tracy again but was unsuccessful. He then contacted Tracy’s mother who said she didn’t know anything about her son selling gas pumps. Tracy called the Brookfield man later that day and promised to deliver the items two days later, but the items were never received.

Tracy’s mother told investigators her son did take her to collect a wire transfer of money, but he told her the money was from an inmate who he had purchased a television for while he was in prison.

Tracy is charged with one count each of theft and attempted theft. If convicted, he faces up to 13 months in prison.