Thursday March 28th, 2024 5:35PM
5:31PM ( 4 minutes ago ) News Alert

Man wanted for roof repair scams arrested in Buford over the weekend

By B.J. Williams
A man wanted for scamming Gwinnett County residents for roof repairs was arrested over the weekend in Buford.
 
Last Friday, Gwinnett County police investigators said they were looking for Richard Scott King in connection with a series of roof repair scams from earlier this year. The were able to arrest him just a day later.
 
Initially, King was arrested on July 5, 2016 and charged with theft by deception, exploitation of disabled adult or elder person and deposit account fraud. 
 
"The lead investigator...found that in 2016, Scott was responsible for multiple crimes in which he tricked homeowners into giving him upfront down-payments for roof repairs he promised to do," said Gwinnett County Police Cpl. Michele Pihera in a press statement. "After those homeowners gave the money to Scott, he refused further contact and denied issuing refunds. "
 
Pihera said King was released on bond on July 27, 2016, but then it came to light last month that King was once again involved in the same type of activity. Police issued six additional warrants for King. 
 
"On July 31, 2017 (more than a year later), the same lead investigator was contacted by a Gwinnett County Assistant District Attorney who alerted him to several new victims who gave money to Scott for bogus roof repairs. These new crimes took place during 2017," Pihera said. 
 
After press information was released about King on Friday, a woman who was shopping at the Walmart store at 3795 Buford Highway reported to police that she had been followed in the store by King, asking her for money. 

"The suspect left the store prior to police arrival. Officers assigned to the North Precinct viewed the surveillance footage at the store and were able to get a clothing description and vehicle description for Scott," Pihera said.

She said the last time King was arrested, he listed his residence as a home on Elm Tree Terrace in Buford, so officers went to that area to search for the suspect. They found him driving the same vehicle from the Walmart surveillance footage and arrested King without incident. 

Pihera said investigators believe there may be other victims that have not reported the crimes. She encouraged those victims to contact Gwinnett County police. 

  • Associated Categories: Homepage, Local/State News
  • Associated Tags: arrest, fraud, Gwinnett County Police Department , roof repair scam, Richard Scott King
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