A woman says a contractor took off with a $1000 deposit, but that’s not the only theft call deputies investigated.
Stolen Bike Recovered After Victim Provides Video
Deputies were called to investigate the theft of two bicycles after a resident reported the bikes had disappeared and provided surveillance footage of the incident.
The victim told deputies he had video showing two individuals taking the bicycles and later emailed the footage to investigators.
After reviewing the video, deputies began checking locations where the bicycles might be found.
Their efforts quickly paid off.
One of the missing bikes was recovered and returned to its owner.
A second bicycle, described as pink and purple, was also located.
According to the report, investigators made contact with a resident where one of the bikes was found. The resident told deputies he owns several bicycles and did not know the recovered bike had been reported stolen.
Investigators noted the bicycle was located at a property containing multiple apartments, and no one there could explain who had brought the bike to the location.
Despite checking additional locations and searching for surveillance footage, deputies were unable to recover a second bicycle, described as a black Huffy.
While the victim provided video of the theft, investigators reported they were unable to positively identify the people shown in the footage.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Homeowner Claims Contractor Kept $1,000 Deposit
In a separate complaint, a homeowner reported losing a $1,000 deposit after hiring a contractor to perform HVAC work.
According to the report, the homeowner paid the contractor the deposit in November 2025 to begin work on the residence.
The homeowner later decided not to move forward with the project and requested the deposit be returned.
According to the complaint, the contractor initially stated the money had already been spent and promised to repay it later.
The homeowner told deputies that repeated attempts to contact the contractor have since gone unanswered.
Deputies explained that disputes involving deposits, contracts, and unfinished work are often considered civil matters rather than criminal offenses.
However, the homeowner completed a written statement, and the information will be forwarded for review.
Protecting Yourself When Hiring Contractors
Contractors and customers sometimes find themselves in disputes over deposits, canceled projects, or incomplete work.
Consumer protection experts recommend:
- Getting all agreements in writing.
- Requesting detailed estimates.
- Keeping copies of receipts and payment records.
- Avoiding large upfront payments whenever possible.
- Verifying licensing and references before hiring.
- Communicating through text or email whenever possible to create a record of conversations.
While many contractor disagreements end up being civil disputes, documentation can become critical if legal action is later required.