Crime & Safety
Phony Contractor Scammed BurlCo Homeowners, Fled To Vegas: Police
He took $140K for work on storm-damaged homes that he never completed, police said. His luck ran out in Sin City.
MEDFORD, NJ — A contractor accused of defrauding Burlington County homeowners is down on his luck after getting arrested Thursday in Las Vegas, officials said.
James Silva collected $140,307.03 to repair five Medford homes damaged in a severe storm, police said. Instead, he pocketed the money and didn't complete any of the work, according to law enforcement.
A warrant was issued Aug. 14 for Silva's arrest, charging him with deceptive business practice and theft by failure to make the required disposition of the money.
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Las Vegas police arrested Silva on Thursday, charging him as a fugitive of justice. He'll remain jailed there until he's extradited to New Jersey, according to Medford police.
A severe storm in spring 2023 damaged several properties in the Medford area. Shortly after, many contractors helped residents with navigating the process of home repairs.
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In April, Medford police launched an investigation into potential contractor fraud after receiving several complaints about Home Repair LLC. Authorities found the entity received $140,307.03 from homeowners and insurance companies for work that never occurred.
Police identified Silva, 50, as the owner of Home Repair LLC.
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