By: Jason Scheer
Finally, in September, Solinto had amassed $4,500 and was ready to have the lift installed. He contacted Angelo Debiase, the owner of ADCO Elevator and Lift Company in West Babylon, to complete the project.
The terms of the agreement were discussed and Solinto gave a down payment. The project was to be completed within a few weeks.
Debiase, however, never came back.
According to police, on Sept. 14, Solinto entered into a contract with Debiase. The total price of the contract was $7,500 with the $4,500 serving as a down payment. Debiase, according to police, promised installation by the end of September or early October but never returned, leaving Solinto with no money and no lift.
"I'm telling you, every day, every day there was something new. This guy never contacted me and never called me or anything," Solinto said. "I worked four to five years to try and collect this money. I worked nights and collected $50 a day, $100 a day. But now I don't have anything."
Now, as a result, Debiase is being charged with larceny. According to police, Debiase was arrested on Dec. 2 and charged with first degree defraud and third degree grand larceny. He was arraigned at First District Court in Hempstead on Dec. 3. His bail was set at $30,000 bond.
Debiase is also facing charges in connection with a similar incident. In June, Debiase was arrested for allegedly taking a $3,500 check from an elderly, disabled couple in Great Neck, police said.
"This guy is picking on decent people who can't take care of themselves," Solinto said. "It's sick."
As of press time, Debiase had not returned calls.
Comments about this story? jscheer@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 282.
