Man faces charges after selling tourists fake Staten Island Ferry tickets

NEW YORK (WABC) -- A man is under arrest and is facing charges after he is accused of selling tourists fake tickets for a ride on the Staten Island Ferry.

Tourists fell for the fake fares sold to them by Gregory Reddick, who was posing as a ticket agent.

Reddick allegedly sold two tickets for a ride on the Staten Island Ferry to a Virginia couple for $409. The ticket scam is a disturbing trend that people say needs to stop. Popular tourist attractions like the Staten Island Ferry are now attracting more and more visitors, and more tour guides targeting out-of-towners.

Parks enforcement patrolman asked Reddick for his ID, the suspect reportedly shoved him and ran off.

Officers then apprehended Reddick in Battery Park.

The tourists were already gone, and the money was not returned.

Geoffrey Croft, President of the New York City Parks Advocates says they receive 40 to 50 complaints a day.

"The real issue is getting the city to crack down and have some sort of - it's like the wild, wild west," Croft says.