GREENVALE, N.Y. (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — A New Jersey man was arrested on Monday for participating in an attempted roof-repair scam on Long Island that ended with a group of suspects crashing their SUV as cops moved in on them, the Nassau County Police Department said.
Terry McDonagh, 29, of Keansburg, New Jersey was the sole suspect of five that was apprehended. He was charged with multiple counts of criminal mischief and attempted grand larceny.
A stranger knocked on a home on Maple Street in Greenvale on Monday and told the 82-year-old homeowner that his roof was leaking, detectives said. The stranger asked the man to come outside, and when the victim exited his house, a second suspect placed a ladder against the house and climbed to the roof.
Once on the roof, the suspect showed the man a piece of wood, and a third suspect went inside with the 82-year-old to inspect a hole in the ceiling sheetrock that he claimed was the result of roof damage.
The third suspect asked the victim for a certified check of $20,000 to fix the roof, stating that they needed to purchase a machine necessary for the work. At this point, the 82-year-old asked the men to return the next day, and called police around 11:15 a.m.
Detectives began investigating the scheme and were notified that a group of men fitting the description of the crew knocked on a Marks Place door in Roslyn Heights while claiming to work for the Roslyn Water District.
Again, the scammers claimed that the female homeowner had a damaged roof in need of repair, but she refused to open the door and told them to leave, police said.
The suspects drove off in a gold-colored SUV. Detectives later saw a 2006 golden Toyota Highlander with a ladder driving southbound on Mineola Avenue and flashed their lights to stop the car.
The SUV did pull over, but then drove off on Mineola Avenue and crashed the vehicle near High Street, authorities said.
Four suspects ran out of the SUV and fled on foot, but police put McDonagh, 29 into custody.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. Those who believe they were the victim of a similar incident are also asked to call police.
Police urge the public to be on alert and speak with vulnerable community members about potential schemes and frauds. Soliciting for home repairs with no license is a frequent violator of town codes, the department said.