Police seek contractor accused of scam, theft
NORTH WALES >> Borough police are seeking a man accused of defrauding a North Wales resident while posing as a construction contractor.
Ronald F. Williams, 34, of the 3500 block of Grant Avenue in Philadelphia is wanted for charges including theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception and receiving stolen property, according to borough police.
In an affidavit filed by police, officers allege Williams met a 66-year-old female victim at a home on Eighth Street in North Wales in December 2020, after the victim was contacted by Williams via the NextDoor.com app and presented himself as a licensed general contractor.
At that time, according to police, Williams agreed to evaluate water damage caused by a broken dishwasher, gave the victim a business card listing him as “Owner/ Independent Contractor” of “Constructionize LLC,” a contract, and what was later found to be false insurance information, before taking a $200 deposit from the victim.
The next day, according to police, Williams returned and said the job would be done in stages, prompting the victim to sense that something was not right. The victim asked to cancel the job and return the deposit, and Williams promised to do so, but never returned, and the victim later found that a cash jar containing $300 was also missing from their residence.
Investigation revealed several similar cases where Williams had committed fraud against other victims in the area, “either not completing the work at all or half-finished, shoddy and incompetent work,” police allege. According to information provided by police, Williams has been reported to have also used the names “Rob Wilson” and “Ron Willis,” and another victim is believed to have lost roughly $3,300 in social security money.
A warrant for Williams’ arrest was approved by District Judge Suzan Leonard in February, and police said Thursday that Williams is believed to be still active in the Philadelphia region and believed to be living in New Jersey. Victims have also reported that Williams is believed to be driving a gray Dodge Ram pickup with a “Thin Blue Line” decal, of an American flag colorized in black and white with a blue stripe, according to police.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact North Wales Borough police at (215) 6994424 or email nwpd@ northwalesborough.org.