WVU Police issues Community Notice as search continues for alleged fraudster

The West Virginia University Police Department has joined the national search for an alleged serial scammer after he allegedly targeted a location on the Morgantown Campus.

On Tuesday, April 7, Jerry W. Buracker, 65, allegedly entered a building on the Downtown area of campus while wearing a high visibility construction vest and carrying a clipboard. When questioned, he falsely claimed to be a building inspector.

While in the building, Buracker is accused of stealing personal checks that he later attempted to cash at local banks using an employee's signature that he had collected by requesting a sign off on the fake work.

Buracker is described as a white male, 5 feet 9 inches tall, with gray hair. At the time of the alleged campus crimes, he was driving a rental vehicle - a 2025 black Hyundai Elantra with an Alabama license plate, AOCP5EN.

Investigators shared surveillance images that can be viewed here, hereand here.

Already, Buracker is wanted on at least 11 other outstanding warrants for alleged theft and fraud in other states.

"Our investigation shows this person actively looks for ways to scam others and, because of that, we're reminding everyone to be vigilant to protect themselves and their valuables," Chief Sherry St. Clairsaid.

"All University employees and those legitimately working for other companies on campus property will willingly show identification if asked, so please verify that the people you're dealing with are who they claim there are."

Anyone who has information about Buracker's location or other information that may be helpful to investigators is asked to contact WVU Police by phone at 304-293-3136, in person at 886 Chestnut Ridge Road, or anonymously via the LiveSafe app.

Safety, preparedness and training resources are posted at police.wvu.edu.

Students and employees are encouraged to follow the WVU Safety and Wellness Facebook page as well as @WVUsafety on X and @WVUsafetyofficial on Instagram, and download the LiveSafe app and allow push notifications for the latest safety information.

A Community Notice is part of the WVU three-tiered emergency notification system used to enhance student and employee safety and provide useful information to the community.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Shauna Johnson
Executive Director of Strategic Communications
WVU Strategic Communications and Marketing
304-293-8302; [email protected]

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