search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube instagram Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • TOPICS
    • Cool Roofing
    • Event News
    • Latinos in Roofing
    • Low Slope
    • Legal
    • Metal
    • Project Profiles
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Roofing Safety
    • Steep Slope
    • Sustainable Roofing
    • Technology
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Best of Success
    • Contractor Profile
    • IRE Show
    • Roofing Contractor of the Year
    • Top 100
    • Young Guns
    • State of the Industry
  • MULTIMEDIA
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Interactive Spotlights
    • Roofing Quizzes
    • IRE Videos
    • Webinars
    • Photo Galleries
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products
    • Featured Products
  • COLUMNS
    • Editor's Note
    • Exit Planning
    • Guest Column
  • EVENTS
    • International Roofing Expo
    • Webinars
    • Best of Success Conference
    • Industry Events
  • DIRECTORY
    • Associations
    • Distributors
    • Manufacturer/Supplier
    • Business Services
    • Get Listed
  • MORE
    • Roofing Contractor Newsletters
    • Techos y Más Advisory Board
    • RC Store
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Company Spotlights
    • Classifieds
      • Auctions
      • Business For Sale
      • Business Opportunities
      • Equipment For Sale
      • Positions Available
      • Products
      • Safety
      • Software
      • Services
      • Training
    • Contact Us
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Advertise
      • Media Kit
      • Editorial Calendar
      • Contact
    • Archive Issues
  • SIGN UP!

Illinois Roofing Contractor Asks About Leaks After Urinating on Business’ Rug

By Chris Gray
Illinois-Roofer-Surveillance-Urination

Jim Costa was cited with disorderly conduct by the Crystal Lake Police Department after urinating on a business' rug on April 20. Photo: Andrew Sylthe/YouTube.

April 28, 2020

CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. — A roofing contractor was caught on video urinating on a local business’ rug and asking employees if the building had “any leaks.”

According to the Northwest Herald, the bizarre occurrence took place at 12:36 p.m. on April 20. Surveillance video posted by the business shows a man in his 60s entering the building’s lobby and calling “Hello?” with no response from anyone.

The video then shows him turning his back to the camera to face the front desk before unzipping his pants and urinating. Once he finished, he again called out “Hello?” before taking a moment to admire his handiwork and use a bottle of hand sanitizer located on the desk.

A female employee emerged to greet him and he began soliciting roofing repair work. The roofer provided the employee a flyer and can be heard asking if she knew if the building “had any leaks.”

The Northwest Herald reports that, after he left, the employee noticed the wet spot on the rug and reviewed the security footage. The employee notified the police of the situation, but they were unable to pull the license plate number of the suspect's vehicle from the footage. That’s when police got creative using the flyer he left behind.

"We took the business name and the partial phone number and we started calling all the different combinations that it could be," Crystal Lake Deputy Police Chief Thomas Kotlowski told the Northwest Herald.

According to the Lake & McHenry County Scanner, once the police reached him, they set up a fake meeting to have the man give them a roofing repair estimate. On April 23, the roofer arrived at the prearranged location driving the same vehicle from the surveillance video. Police identified the man as Jim Costa, and when asked why he did it, Kotlowski said Costa gave “no reasonable explanation” for his actions.

Police cited Costa with disorderly conduct, which is punishable by a $75 to $1,000 fine.

KEYWORDS: commercial roofing contractor crime Illinois

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Chrisgray

Chris Gray is the editor of Roofing Contractor and Roofing Supply Pro. He has worked in the fields of journalism and copywriting for nearly 20 years, ranging from local print newspapers to the multi-media promotion of international artists.

Reach him at 248-244-6498 or grayc@bnpmedia.com.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • two-roofers-in-harnesses-on-tile-roof

    How AI Is (and Isn’t) Impacting Roofing Jobs

    A new study from Microsoft shows artificial intelligence...
    Roofing Technology
    By: Chris Gray
  • Baker-Roofing-Company-employees-on-flat-roof-examinining-paperwork

    Exclusive: 2025’s Top 100 Roofing Contractors

    Roofing Contractor's 2025 Top 100 list reveals revenue...
    Top 100 Roofing Contractors
    By: Chris Gray
  • A before and after heat measurement comparison

    How Hot is Too Hot in the Attic?

    If the ventilation is working, how hot should the attic...
    Columns
    By: Paul Scelsi
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Sign Up for the Newsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Roofing Contractor audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Roofing Contractor or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • A finished commercial roof, including flashings
    Sponsored byFlashCo

    It’s All in the Details – How to Avoid 4 Common Mistakes with Roofing Accessories

  • Happy mature couple using phone holding credit card making payments. Middle aged older man and woman doing ecommerce shopping on smartphone booking or buying online on mobile sitting at home table.
    Sponsored byWatercress Financial

    Meeting Modern Expectations: Why Offering Financing Is Essential for Roofers Today

  • A roofing contractor stands on a roof behind an American flag
    Sponsored byTAMKO®

    Building Roofs, Building Community: TAMKO’s Lasting Commitment to Veterans and the Military

Popular Stories

Tinker, Turner Discuss Home Depot/GMS Acquisition

The Home Depot Acquires GMS: What It Means for Contractors and the Future of Distribution

A Drone hovering over a roof

11 Ways to Use AI In Your Roofing Business

Carlisle-Construction-Materials-logo-with-Jason-Taylor-headshot

Carlisle Companies Announces New President, Vice Chair

THE POWER OF A REMOTE SALES ASSISTANT:
LESSONS FROM THE FIELD

Events

December 3, 2025

The Premier Roofing Conference: Best of Success

Join roofing professionals from across the nation at the 2025 Best of Success conference, the ultimate destination for roofing professionals seeking the latest industry insights and networking opportunities. Pick up strategies for critical challenges like workforce shortage with innovative solutions, explore the latest advancements in roofing technology and sustainable practices, and gain valuable insights from industry leaders on navigating the evolving roofing landscape.

View All Submit An Event

Related Articles

  • pexels-katrin-bolovtsova-gavel.jpg

    Illinois Man Posing as Roofing Contractor Charged with Burglary

    See More
  • Two suspects were arrested after allegedly stealing more than $100K in equipment.

    2 Under Arrest After $100K Heist from N.Y. Roofing Contractor

    See More
  • pexels-katrin-bolovtsova-gavel.jpg

    Roofing Contractor Pleads Guilty After Employee's Death

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • roofingpic.jpg

    Managing the Profitable Construction Business: The Contractor's Guide to Success and Survival Strategies

See More Products
×

Be in the forefront of the roofing industry!

Join thousands of professionals today. Shouldn’t you know what they know?

JOIN NOW!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • Newsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing