'Contractor' Scammed Elderly Trumbull Victim: PD

TRUMBULL, CT—A Bridgeport man known for scamming elderly victims in contractor schemes was arrested, according to police.

Police were called to the victim's house Aug. 16 after he gave a contractor $1,500 cash to seal his driveway, police said. He was unable to make contact with the contractor and the work wasn't finished.

The next day police were called to the house again and the victim said a supposed representative from the water company visited and said he had to check the home's water meter. The victim obliged and let the man in, police said.

While inside the home the victim noticed the man from the day before and asked both men to leave. He then realized $3,000 cash was taken.

A legitimate landscaper who has worked for the elderly victim for years saw a tree branch down in the yard Aug. 17 at the same time the two men were in the victim's house. He went to check on the victim knowing that elderly people are often scammed into getting work done.

He recognized one man as "Sonny," someone he knew to be a prolific scammer of the elderly in town, police said.

Police were aware of Sonny and identified him as Sonny Mitchell, 44, of Bridgeport. A warrant was approved and Mitchell turned himself in Dec. 7. He was charged with second-degree larceny and offering to make home improvements without a registration.

Mitchell has several criminal convictions, including three for offering to make home improvements without a registration.

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