On October 11, 2017, A Rushford man was arrested in Fillmore, N.Y. on an arrest warrant following the investigation of a home repair/improvement scam that occurred in the Town of Arcade.
James R. Stuart (age 58) of Route 243 in Rushford, N.Y., is charged with grand larceny 3rd and scheme to defraud after he charged an elderly person in the Town of Arcade nearly $12,000 to power wash a house, cut some tree limbs, and clean gutters. Stuart also has pending charges in Cuba Court in which he also received money to do similar work. Stuart never returned to complete the work.
Stuart was taken into custody by members of the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Police in Fillmore, N.Y. following a traffic stop pursuant to the court ordered warrant of arrest.
Following the traffic stop investigation, Stuart additionally faces false impersonation and other vehicle and traffic charges after giving a false name.
Stuart was issued appearance tickets by the New York State Police and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Hume Court at a later date.
Stuart was then transported back to Wyoming County and was arraigned before Wyoming County Court Judge Mohun and was committed to the Wyoming County Jail on $10,000 bail. He is scheduled to appear in the Town of Arcade Court at a later date.
The investigation is ongoing.
Sheriff Gregory Rudolph says, “Based on this lengthy investigation, it is believed that Stuart has been doing home improvement and repair scams in the rural Western New York area and there are other victims out there. It is likely he has been using various names and has had other people with him.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office at 585-786-8989 or the New York State Police.
“It is our hope others will come forward and the true scope of these crimes and the loss to victims will be uncovered.”