Police Search for Additional Victims of Home Improvement Scam - News Release

NEWS RELEASE
City of Takoma Park Police Department
● 7500 Maple Avenue ● Takoma Park, Md 20912


For more information contact:
Public Information Officer (PIO)
Catherine Plevy, 301/891.7142 or 240/338.2901


December 27 2011 (10:10 a.m.)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

**Taken from Montgomery County Police Department**
Montgomery County Police have been investigating a series of home improvement scams since July of 2011. These incidents have occurred in Rockville, Silver Spring, and Gaithersburg. Recently, a District Court Summons was issued for a suspect.

Karl Leroy Davis, age 42, from the 1000 block of Woods Place in Alexandria, Virginia, has been charged with several crimes, including theft over $1000, failing to perform a contract, operating without a license, and theft scheme over $1000.


Davis would meet each prospective customer, discuss the work plan, enter into a written contract with his victim(s) and obtain a check when the contract was signed. Davis would cash the check and not perform the contracted, promised work. The victim(s) attempts to contact Davis went unanswered.


Investigators believe that there may be additional victims who may have been defrauded by Davis. It is believed that potential victims may not have realized they have/had been defrauded by Davis.


Homeowners can protect themselves from becoming a victim by:

Requesting to see a Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) License
Requesting to see proof of insurance
Ask for references
Consult the Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection at 240-777-3636 or www.montgomerycountymd.gov/consumer
Obtain three (3) estimates from licensed firms
Initially never pay more than 1/3 of stated contractual amount
Have a written contract which specifies materials to be used
Perform a "google" search of the company

Montgomery County Police are asking that anyone having any knowledge of Karl Leroy Davis engaging in these crimes please contact Officer Hedgepeth, Montgomery County Police 4th District, at 240-773-5500. Callers may remain anonymous.