Handyman

Grovetown man arrested after dozens declare cash stolen for incomplete handyman work

AUGUSTA, Georgia (WJBF) – A Columbia County man is in jail tonight accused of cheating people out of thousands of dollars for home improvement.

“Covington, Georgia. He was at his mother’s house, ”said Inv. Matthew Williamson of the Grovetown Department of Public Safety when asked where Christopher Alday was arrested.

That’s about an hour and a half from his home in Grovetown. The 40-year-old was arrested on Saturday, wanted for theft by converting payments for property improvements. Investigator Williamson, who chose to speak off-camera because of the nature of his job, told us the crime charge came after Alday allegedly took in more than $ 10,000 in home improvement money for jobs he never did had completed.

“Some were $ 400, some were $ 2,800, $ 1,400, $ 1,300. Most of it is $ 2,800, ”he said of the cases he had learned about all week.

The Grovetown Department of Public Safety went to Facebook to track down Alday and showed photos of him and the truck they thought was driving it. They learned from dozen of victims reporting in Grovetown and Richmond and Columbia counties that he allegedly planned to work under Alday Handyman Services and received partial payment for some jobs as he claimed to have to pick up materials outside of town.

But Investigator Williamson said this was not what his bank statements showed.

He added, “I wanted proof that he bought this material in Colombia. Eventually, he claimed that he didn’t buy it in Colombia and just tells his customers to buy time. He said he bought it at the Bobby Jones Walmart. That was a lie. “

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She wants to protect her identity, but Megan Gautreaux told NewsChannel 6 that she found Alday on the Connect Augusta Facebook group in April.

“Checked the reviews. All of them were five stars, ”she said. “Nothing wrong with his work.”

After reassuring her that he was licensed and insured, she hired him to install a fence in her yard for her dog and paid him $ 405. But he also fed them with the history of materials, among other things.

Gautreaux also said: “He said that he and his crew were very sick. Of course I felt sorry for you and said I hope you are better just keep me posted. The following week he told me again that he was in the hospital with EKGs. “

While Gautreaux has to wait for this case to go to court to get her money back, she and investigators hope no one else like Alday will fall victim to anyone.

“Definitely look for insurance. If they have a license, ”said Lt. Allison Foster of Grovetown’s Criminal Investigation Division, adding that at the time of the engagements, Alday had a Columbia County business license with a number and insurance. “If they ask 50 percent upfront, that’s definitely a red flag.” Lt. Foster added that it would be best to do a Google search and also use word of mouth to save money.

Inv. No. Williamson added one more tip. Do not take money back from someone you believe has betrayed you. If you do, it becomes a civil business and you will need to sue that person in court instead of having them arrested. Williamson said that was why he advised Gautreaux not to accept payments from Alday.

Alday remains in jail on a $ 5,100 bond.

Photojournalist: Gary Hipps

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