Construction scammers still in Scugog
by Rik Davie/The Scugog Standard

Durham Regional Police investigators would like the public’s help in nabbing a shady home renovation crew currently working the Scugog area.

In a previous news release detectives stated, in part:
On Friday, Feb. 19, at approximately 7 p.m., two unknown men attended the residence of an elderly couple in Port Perry and demanded they open the door to be spoken to. The men stated they were soliciting contract work in the area. One man remained seated in a parked vehicle while the other attended their front door. The complainant asked the suspects to leave their property and reported the incident to police immediately afterwards. The elderly couple reported another unknown male suspect had arrived to their door days earlier and was soliciting contract work. He was unfamiliar to them and was asked to leave. They observed him canvassing their elderly neighbour after leaving their home. The suspects are described as white males with various ages and clothing descriptions.

The previous release went on to state:
The following day, on Saturday, Feb. 20, at approximately 10 a.m., an unknown male suspect attended the home of an elderly man residing in Port Perry. The suspect indicated he was canvassing homes in the area for maintenance repair work. The suspect entered the senior’s home under the pretence of providing a quote. The suspect was alone for a period of time and attended the victim’s bedroom, where money was removed from a wallet. The suspect fled quickly and advised he would complete the quote and get back to the victim shortly. The victim contacted his son after the incident who then reported the occurrence to police.

Durham Regional Police Detective Jim Leipsig told The Standard he hopes the public will be aware.

“We know this group has been operating in the Scugog area and we have new reports of incidents,” said Det. Leipsig. “In one case a more senior man, possibly in his 60s or 70s, came to the door. They are quite forceful and insistent at times.”

Police are asking people who encounter individuals of this type to watch for a license number and vehicle description and then pass it on to them.

“We also want to warn people,” said Det. Leipsig, “to be wary of people soliciting renovations and home repairs door-to-door. Get business cards and check out contractors to make sure they are reputable or do business with people you know.”

In the latest incident, one older male approached the door and spoke to the resident and gave a detailed written description of work to be done from a receipt book while a younger male waited in a vehicle. In all cases work was either not done, not completed or only partially attempted before funds were sought and no further work was carried out.

“We need the public to be wary and we need them to report anything they feel to be suspicious,” Det. Leipsig said. “These suspects are praying on people and we want to catch them badly.”

Persons with information can contact Det. Leipsig, Det. Greg Collins or Det. Brad Gibb at the North Durham Community Police Office, 905-579-1520 ext. 2677, 2676 or 2675.

Anyone with additional information on this, or any, crime should contact the Durham Regional Police at 905-579-1520 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $2,000 cash for information that leads to a conviction in any criminal matter.