NY Man Accused Of Running Home Improvement Scam In Greenwich

GREENWICH, CT — A 43-year-old Tuxedo Park, NY man was arrested on charges of first-degree larceny, offering home repairs without a license and other offenses for allegedly preying on a Greenwich homeowner in a home improvement scam, according to Greenwich Police Lt. John Slusarz.

The alleged scam was discovered after cheap windows were delivered to the Huntzinger Drive home of the victim, Slusarz told Patch.

"The complainant paid the suspect a deposit, but then the wrong windows were delivered to the house," said Slusarz. "The homeowner had paid for high-end windows, but cheap knockoffs were delivered."

Robert Karwowski, the alleged contractor, then tried to pass off the scam by presenting forged receipts for the windows, but the homeowner knew the difference and contacted police, according to Slusarz.

A warrant was obtained for Karwowski's arrest, who was doing business under the name RK Development & Masonry, and on Nov. 29 he was picked up from a correctional facility Goshen, NY where he was being held on unrelated charges.

In addition to the two charges mentioned above, Karwowski also was charged with violating home improvement contractor regulations, and illegal use of a fictitious trade name.

After posting a $5,000 bond in Greenwich, Karwowski was turned over to the East Hartford Police Department, which held an active warrant for his arrest on other unrelated charges. He is due to appear in Stamford Superior Court on Dec. 14.

The arrest marks the second time a suspect has been arrested in connection with an alleged home improvement scam in town in less than a month.

A 43-year-old Greenwich man was arrested in November on similar charges after he allegedly billed a local client for home repairs he never performed.

Slusarz told Patch that residents should research contractors on the state Department of Consumer Protection, and/or the Better Business Bureau websites before hiring them.

"Get references and research them," Slusarz said.

Photo: Robert Karwowski. Photo credit: Greenwich Police Department

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