Police are searching for an allegedly crooked contractor accused of ripping off a customer in Little Egg Harbor Township.
Police say the 78-year-old victim withdrew $4300 in cash from a local bank in June and gave more than half of it to the unidentified suspect. The suspect and four other men then showed up to the man’s home unsolicited and offered to replace his roof but refused to take a check.
“That’s definitely a red flag,” said Little Egg Harbor Township Police Detective Joel Mahr.
The victim, who did not want to be identified, spoke to NBC10.
“I’m smart enough to know better,” he said. “But I just got, they were very well choreographed.”
Investigators say the suspects tore off shingles and plywood and then demanded more money but the victim refused and said he was calling police. The group then fled in an unmarked grey pickup truck. The homeowner said he never learned the names of any of the men.
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Police released photos of the suspect and believe he’s from Maryland but is also familiar with the South Jersey area. The victim also told police the pickup truck the man was driving had commercial NJ license plate YBV-5274, a number that came back invalid after investigators checked.
If you have any information on the suspect please call Detective Joel Mahr at 609-296-3666 ext. 178.
