Florida Police Looking for Man Who Scammed $36,000 Posing as Roofing Contractor
UPDATED 10/21/2020
HAINES CITY, Fla. — Police in Haines City arrested a pastor who they say presented himself as a roofing contractor to scam an 85-year-old woman out of more than $36,000.
CBS-affiliated WTSP reports that Aber Anibal Rolon, 46, is charged with scheme to defraud in the amount of more than $20,000, exploitation of the elderly and presenting himself as a contractor without a license. WTSP reports that Rolon was arrested on Friday after turning himself in.
Police say the victim, who has mobility, hearing and visual impairments, was seeking to make flooring and roofing repairs before selling her home in Haines City. According to police, Rolon gave the victim a business card for "A Servant's Hand," which claimed he was licensed for contracted roofing services along with other trades like electrical, plumbing and flooring.
"While the caretaker was away, Rolon insisted more services were necessary in order for her to sell the home," the Haines City Police Department wrote in a news release.
When the city's building division inspected the work, they found unfinished roof and porch repairs along with incorrectly installed light fixtures, ceiling fans and a water heater. Unsurprisingly, when detectives looked into Rolon's credentials, they found he wasn't licensed for general contracting or electrical work, nor is his company registered or insured.
Rolon is reported to have sent the victim six different bills that totaled $36,440 between July and September.
"This was an elderly woman needing to sell her home and this suspect targeted and exploited her for all that he could," Chief Jim Elensky told WTSP. "To stoop to a level this low is outrageous, reprehensible and disgusting."
WTSP reports that Rolon was the senior pastor of Calvary First Assembly in unincorporated Haines City.
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