INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 42-year-old fence contractor was arrested after deputies said he took a customer’s deposit of more than $2,000 to install a fence, but never started the project.
The man – identified as Carl Albert Richards – was hired by a resident in February to build the fence in a time frame of six to eight weeks, reports show. As several months passed, the resident tried to contact Richards, but was unsuccessful.
Richards had about 25 customers that he owed deposits to, reports show.
Indian River County sheriff’s deputies arrested Richards, of the 500 block of Benedictine Terrace, Sebastian, on a grand theft charge. Richards was released Thursday from the Indian River County Jail on $25,000 bond.
Deputies responded to reports of fraud May 25 at the victim’s home. The victim told deputies he met with Richards of Infinite Fence contracting company.
A contract was made and the victim made a 50 percent down payment to Richards for the fencing. Richards told the victim it would take several weeks to get the permit approved.
As time went by, Richards gave the victim numerous excuses as to why he had not started the project, authorities said. The victim later discovered Richards forged the victim’s signature on the permit, reports show.
The victim gave Richards until mid May to start the job. In mid June, deputies again spoke with the victim, who said he still had not heard from Richards or Infinite Fence.
Deputies arrested Richards and took him to the county jail. Richards has an arraignment at 8:30 a.m. August 15, court records show.