Crime Watch

D.A.: Bellmore man charged in contracting scam

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A Bellmore man was arrested and charged on Aug. 23 in a “take-the-money-and-run” scam, in which he allegedly took $7,000 from a homeowner for home improvement work that he did not perform, according to Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas.

Joseph Policaro, 41, was arrested by district attorney investigators and charged with third-degree grand larceny and operating a home improvement business without a license. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 2 1/3 to seven years in prison. He was released and is due back in court on Sept. 1.

“This defendant claimed to be a contractor and stole thousands from a Bellmore resident for home improvement work that he never performed,” Singas said. “Today’s arrest serves as a reminder to the public to check contractors’ licenses before hiring them, and a warning to unscrupulous contractors that those who scam Nassau residents will be prosecuted.”

According to the district attorney, the homeowner entered into a contract with Policaro on July 25, 2015, to perform home-improvement work on the exterior of the home and paid him $7,000. When the work did not begin as scheduled, Policaro allegedly made excuses, claiming that he was “running late” or he was “delayed.” The homeowner filed a complaint with the Nassau County Office of Consumer Affairs, which referred the case to the district attorney’s office for investigation in March.

The investigation revealed that Policaro allegedly spent the homeowner’s funds on expenses unrelated to the project that he was supposed to complete, including debit card purchases for personal expenses at Wal-Mart, Speedway, Stop & Shop, gas stations and convenience stores. He also paid vendors for unrelated expenses.

Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Contreras of the Government and Consumer Frauds Bureau is prosecuting the case. Policaro is represented by attorney Adam Neal, who could not be reached for comment at press time.