DURHAM -- Police have arrested a flooring contractor, alleging he defrauded more than a dozen customers in Durham Region. Stephen Brown of Trenton appeared in an Oshawa court Thursday, charged with 16 fraud-related offences.
He was investigated by Durham cops after several residents in Clarington and Oshawa complained they'd handed over deposits ranging from $2,000 to $9,000 for work that was never done, said fraud Detective Jeff Caplan.
Durham cops executed search warrants at the man's Trenton home earlier this month and obtained a warrant for his arrest.
He was picked up by OPP in Quinte West Sunday and handed over to Durham police.
Customers of the man's company, Steve Brown Floor Coverings, told investigators they'd put down money on work that was never done. Complainants who tracked the man down were given a number of excuses as to why he hadn't been back, Det. Caplan said.
"The bottom line is he never returned," Det. Caplan said.
Mr. Brown is facing charges of fraud over $5,000 and fraud under $5,000.