WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – A man named Joel Casanova scammed a 73-year-old South Florida woman into believing that he was a licensed contractor and paid him thousands of dollars for a roof repair that he never attempted, police said.
Casanova, 46, was arrested Saturday on charges of grand theft and impersonating a licensed contractor.
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According to a West Palm Beach police report, Casanova overheard a conversation between the woman and another person about the need to replace the roof at her home and presented her with a card saying, that he was licensed roofer.
West Palm Beach police said Casanova gave the woman an estimate of $7,775 to replace the roof, and she hired him to do the job.
Police said the woman gave Casanova two checks -- one as a deposit, and the other as a first installment -- but the work was never started, and a required city permit was never requested. Police said Casanova was also not a licensed contractor in Florida, even though he had a business card that included a license number.
Casanova was released from jail on a $3,000 bond.