2 Men Indicted In Home Improvement Scams
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (CBS4)- A grand jury has indicted two men allegedly involved in a widespread home improvement scam.
Arrest warrants have been issued for Aaron Spontaneo and Mario Vasquez. They have been accused of racketeering under the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, COCCA, along with 21 additional counts of theft.
Police believe Spontaneo may be living in Arizona and Vazquez in California.
Prosecutors claim in the indictment documents that they found at least 20 victims of the business partners spanning from Aurora, Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch, Denver, Brighton, Commerce City and Englewood.
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Mary Navarro of Denver is one of the alleged victims. She claims "Hybrid Remodeling Concepts" never gave her a new roof but made away with her $15,000 insurance check.
"I think they're the lowest people that there can be," says Navarro. "I don't want to see anybody hurt anymore."
Eighteenth Judicial District Attorney George Brauchler urges the suspects to turn themselves in.
Brauchler says most people involved in these types of schemes are given a couple of options, if they come forward.
"If you make every victim whole financially, upfront, we will be generous with the plea bargain," states Brauchler. "You're not going to walk away from it but we will be generous."
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Documents alleged that Spontaneo, who also goes by the name of Aaron Jackson, along with his partner Vasquez bilked customers out of almost $143,000 in losses.
The indictment states customers endured losses ranging from $2,000 upwards of $29,227.
The document also states that the suspects were running businesses under various names: Better Business Exteriors, AccuHome Renovations, Altitude Renovations, Hybrid, Hybrid Remodeling Concepts.
Alleged Victim Kathy Varone says she contracted the pair for a new roof. She says her roof didn't pass inspection twice.
She had to hire another company to fix the job and lost $7,000. Varone says she doesn't want to see the same misfortune happen to another person.
"It's not anymore for me. It's for other homeowners," says Varone. "They've targeted single mothers, widows, senior citizens... that's who I'm doing this for."
Navarro agrees and says says she wants the suspects caught, "I hope they rot in jail."
The 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office says consumers should always be suspicious of a company or person who won't begin work until they've been paid in full.
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Jennifer Brice is a reporter with CBS4 focusing on crime and courts. Follow her on Facebook or on Twitter @CBS4Jenn.
