Tens of thousands of dollars is what one Phoenix man is accused of taking for work he never completed. The unlicensed contractor has been leaving homes a mess and leaving angry owners in his wake.
Tamara Killeen is fixing up her home.
"I needed everything done," she said.
So when a co-worker introduced her to a contractor, "It was just perfect timing. Until it wasn’t perfect," said Killeen.
The contractor went by Antonio and seemed legitimate at first with business cards and promises of a full staff and quality work.
"It’s rapid remodeling and paving, but his legal name is Alvaro Antonio Ozuna," said Terry Russell, a Navy veteran who also hired Antonio for a remodel.
Russell and Killeen both paid for much work to be done. They said Ozuna was smart and came across as professional.
"He knows he is lying to you when you are talking to him," said Killeen. "You don’t know at the time because he’s very knowledgeable."
"He’s very convincing, and he’s always got a story about why the materials are held up, or back ordered, or locked up somewhere at another location," said Russell.
"There is always an excuse," said Killeen. "They’re going to deliver them tomorrow. No, you know what, something happened. I had to get my teeth removed. Oh, my parents are coming."
Eventually, Ozuna stopped showing up and staying in touch.
"[He] blocked me, and would not talk to me anymore," said Killeen.
"He’s turned his phone off," said Russell.
The two were not the only scammed by Mr. Ozuna.
The Arizona Registrar of Contractors told ABC15 that in March someone filed a complaint. The office has already processed the complaint, determined large amounts of money were stolen, and submitted it for prosecution.
Ozuna failed to appear in McDowell Mountain Justice Court on July 11 for an arraignment hearing to face the charge of 'Contractor Acting Without A License.'
Terry filed another complaint with the registrar.
Tamara meanwhile has two pallets in her yard tied to the bad memories.
"I actually bought 12 pallets of pavers," she said, having never received the other ten.
Together, the two are out thousands of dollars. While they say they have learned a lesson, they also want Ozuna caught, so others don't have to learn the hard way.
"I consider it to be stealing and theft," said Russell.
"I just want to see him walking down the street," said Killeen.
The best thing to do before hiring someone to work on your home is to make sure they have a license.
You can check the license or file a complaint with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.
