Instead, a Miami homeowner hoping to make improvements to his house lost $135,000 to a husband-wife team who pretended to be certified contractors, abandoned their home in a terrible state, and then vanished from sight, authorities said.
The victim, who resides in the Buena Vista sector of the city, employed Luis Gustavo Arvelo Teran, 34, and Maria de las Angeles Rosales Solorzano, 33, of Doral in September 2022, according to Miami police.
According to victim John Thomas, “It’s an old house and it needed some upgrades but it was still in great shape. The house was beautiful.”
According to investigators, the two, operating under the name Luma Solutions Corp., forced Thomas to put down 50% of a $270,000 home remodeling contract. Authorities claim that Thomas looked up the business online.
“I wrote them the check for $135,000 in September of 2022,” he stated.
The two destroyed Thomas’ house, then, according to Miami Police Department spokesperson Officer Kiara Delva, “disappeared without returning to complete any of the promised renovations.” This was stated in a news release on Monday.
Thomas, whose house was rendered “uninhabitable,” requested a refund, and according to their arrest records, the pair acknowledged that their license had been canceled.
The two destroyed Thomas’ house, then, according to Miami Police Department spokesperson Officer Kiara Delva, “disappeared without returning to complete any of the promised renovations.” This was stated in a news release on Monday.
Thomas, whose house was rendered “uninhabitable,” requested a refund, and according to their arrest records, the pair acknowledged that their license had been canceled.
“Now it doesn’t even have a floor,” he stated. “If you wanted to just take my money, take my money. Why did you have to just destroy my house? At least at that point I would have a place to live.”
Following a thorough investigation, detectives discovered the pair Tuesday at Party City, situated at 10650 NW 19th St. in Doral, according to their arrest papers.
Although the charges were met with celebration by the police, the couple’s celebration was probably ruined by the charges. They are each charged with a misdemeanor of contracting without a license in addition to first-degree felonies of grand theft by contractor and organized plan to defraud.
“At least now there is that satisfaction that they didn’t get away with it and that brings a little bit of a peace of mind,” Thomas stated.
“(D)etectives believe that there may be additional victims who have fallen prey to similar scams orchestrated by these unlicensed contractors,” according to a news release. “The Miami Police Department urges anyone who may have had dealings with the defendants, or who may have additional information related to other cases, to come forward and assist with the ongoing investigation.”
