An 18-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with an alleged roofing scam that took place in East Toronto.
According to police, three men were in the area of Coxwell and Danforth avenues on Tuesday, April 25, when they allegedly approached a home-owner purporting to be roofers working in the neighbourhood and that they had noticed damage on the home-owner’s roof.
Police alleged that the home-owner allowed one of the men onto the roof to conduct an “inspection”. The home-owner was then provided with a quote for $18,500 and three men were given a deposit of $9,000 so that work could start the next day, police alleged.
Police said the next day an “unsuspecting” sub-contracted crew arrived and began working on the roof. The man who provided the original quote then allegedly showed up and asked the home-owner for an additional $3,000 to purchase supplies, police said. The home-owner went to the bank to get the money but the man was gone, police said. The home-owner was then allegedly told to give the money to the sub-contracted crew, police said.
At that point, police said the home-owners became suspicious. The home-owners consulted with other neighbours and the police were called.
Three days later, on Friday, April 28, police were called to the area of Bayview and Eglinton avenues after witnesses became concerned an alleged roofing scam was taking place.
When officers arrived, they allegedly found two men on a home-owner’s property. Police said one of the men was an “unsuspecting” sub-contractor while the other man allegedly matched the description of the suspect being sought in connection with the earlier incident at Coxwell and Danforth avenues.
Upon sight of the officers, police alleged that the man began to flee the area. Following a foot pursuit by officers, police said, the man was arrested.
Stewart Millet, 18, of no fixed address has been charged with fraud over $5,000 and mischief (damage to property) over $5,000.
Police said the investigation is ongoing, and want residents to know that in both of the above instances the men allegedly involved identified themselves as working for a company called “CO Roofing & Masonry” and gave a contact number of 647-767-0300.
Police added that the “unsuspecting” contractors involved were not paid any funds.
Police believe there may be more victims and an image of the accused has been released. Police are reminding home-owners to be diligent when granting access to their homes, especially for unsolicited inspections and/or repairs.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5300, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477 or online at https://www.222tips.com
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