September 25, 2007
Not-so-handyman
A reader asked to have this missive posted. A similar guy walked by several times, but never approached, while I was working on the gutters this past Saturday…
I had a middle-aged African American guy, slight build, no taller than 5′9″
ring my doorbell this AM who handed me his business card and proceeded to
point out issues with my roof. The name on his business card is Thomas
Taylor and it gives several contact phone numbers. While pointing out
issues, he proceeds to climb up a ladder to show me problems on my side
porch 1st floor roof. At no point did I give him permission to get off the
ladder onto my roof. Next thing I know, he is on my roof pulling up my
chimney liner, showing bricks and slates that are unattached, etc. Long
story short, he wants to start the job immediately. I told him I would
speak to my husband and let him know. He didn’t put back any of the slates
he has moved and there is a brick at the top of my chimney that is sitting
at a precarious angle. I just wanted him off my roof. I now have a 1 foot
square area on my roof (that may very well need repair) that is exposed!
Needless to say, I chose not to go with him, even though the quote dropped
from $4000 to $2200 when I said no the first time. I don’t know that he is
a criminal per say, but he is ringing door bells looking for repair work to
do and he is fairly pushy(climbing on my roof without my permission)and
doesn’t want to hear no. As I said no to the roof work, he was still trying
to clean my gutters!! He claimed to have done work for my neighbor who I
confirmed doesn’t know him from Adam (he rang his doorbell as well).
My other neighbor called the police because she didn’t know what he was all
about and he had a big landscaper’s trailer he was pulling that didn’t have
anything on it. I just wanted to make others aware so they do not end up
like me with exposed roofing boards and bricks from their chimney sitting
precariously! He is driving an older model white van with no markings and
pulling a long black trailer that may have ladders but I didn’t see anything
on it! He has a guy with him but I was uncertain whether he may be biracial
or Hispanic. He is probably 10 years younger with facial hair cut in a trim
line around his chin. He is probably about the same height but weighs
~200lbs. The police were going to try to locate them and tell them to move
on.
I have called Paul Saunders roofing for potential repair work and as I was
sharing my story, the receptionist tells me of a guy named Thomas (she
couldn’t remember his last name) who used to work Windsor Farms in the same
fashion. We believe with the similarities to the story that this is indeed
the same guy!
Good to know! Thanks for sharing.
Oh — a follow-up to the Baskin Robbins shooting — I drove by there tonight around 9:30pm, and it was closed up tight, lights out, no one in sight. I guess they’re cutting back hours in response to the “incident”. Can’t blame them for that — not sure I’d want to stop there after dark these days.
Hi. I’ve been dropping by this blog for a week or so now, just looking into things as I have been considering moving to Richmond. Somebody suggested to me that I check out the South Side, Woodland Heights, Forest Hill, etc., because of the architecture, proximity to downtown, museums, shopping, river and other outdoor recreation, etc., and I was told the area is “affordable.” I looked at house prices in places like The Fan and West End and was very intimidated–quite expensive, really–so this part of town, the Hills and Heights, seemed appealing.
I live now in a very safe community with almost no crime worries whatsoever, and what I am starting to pick up on here, unfortunately, is some tension, and concerns about crime–I am reading about attempted armed robberies, deadly shootings, and break-ins as well as a general lack of police response. Then I saw the “Crime Info” map, and I will be honest I am seriously having second thoughts! Is this area crime-ridden and dangerous? I have young kids. I’d really appreciate some honest input before I pull up stakes and move 600 miles…. Would not want to regret it. The area looked so nice in the few pictures I’ve seen.
Chris, there is crime around, but there’s crime everywhere. Not a day passes without a story about break-ins or slashed tires in the most exclusive, “safe” suburban areas. One thing to note about the crime map is that the neighborhoods of Westover Hills, Forest Hill and Woodland Heights specifically really don’t see much crime within the “neighborhood limits” proper (if you want some more info on specific neighborhoods, drop me a line via the contact link at the top of the page and I can get that to you).
Part of the reason we’re making such a big deal over the ice cream store shooting and the 47th St. armed robbery is because they’re not regular occurrences. The neighborhood associations have worked very hard to make this a safe area.
According to your description, that must the same guy. I think they are not to blame, they may need the work urgently to feed themselves up. A guy I met on interracialmatch.com once said: don’t refuse a sincere heart, they may deadly need the God at that time.
Do not hire “Thomas”! They may need food, but they may also be criminals! The unprofessional way in which they operate should be a very big red flag. They could intend to rip you off on the job, or rob your house, or worse.
If you feel the need to reach out, direct them to a church or other agency that can offer them employment or other social services.
Don’t put yourself or your neighbors in danger.
Thomas Taylor and his cronies have scammed many people out of money. Two months ago, my elderly employer who lives in Windsor Farms got a frantic phone call from his wife who said that Mr. Taylor knocked on her door because he “could see that their flashing was in desperate need of repair.” He climbed onto her roof before she could say no and began pulling up boards to demonstrate “damage.” He picked a day that was overcast and threatening rain, which made the situation seem much more urgent. My employer paid him $4,000 for the repairs only to find out that instead of replacing the copper flashing, Thomas Taylor spray-painted the old flashing instead. My employer is in his 80s as is his wife. What he did was despicable. The Windsor Farms Association is considering legal action because of the numerous complaints of similar encounters.
To that Chris who posted a comment - we moved out here about two years ago from the Midwest and find this area a lot more secure than where we were. I can only assume it depends on what you consider safe. I don’t live exactly in the Westover Hills/Forest Hill/etc. area, but I do live close (in Chesterfield County which is possibly the area you were referred to as “south-side” … I live around Hull St Rd and Rt 150).
I’d recommend coming out and looking over the area before you move if you can. I unfortunately didn’t have that option, but did move anyway :)
To the potential resident: Crime stats can be misleading. there are too many offences, but very few of them are violent crimes, or even crimes against people. We are all upset about the shed robberies and garage breakins…How many places never even think of these events, because they are dealing with murder, rape, armed robberies, serial offenders, etc. I live in Cherokee Hills, and see a police car every six months, because an officer has little to do in our area.
David
Thanks so much for the feedback Re: crime. And I hope, too, that someone can put a stop this this phony roofer going around and tearing up people’s stuff.
http://www.wtvr.com/Global/story.asp?S=8785927
Roof Repair Update: Suspect in Custody
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Police picked up Mr. Taylor Monday night in Hopewell after the story about him aired. He’s charged with two felony counts of obtaining money by false pretenses.
Monday, August 4, 2008
The following is a press release from Henrico police:
Warrants have been obtained for the below listed subject who has been preying upon senior citizens in western Henrico County.
The subject is approaching senior citizens telling them they are in need of roofing repairs.
The work they do is minimal and they are asking for partial payment up front before the work begins. Victims are in their late 70’s and 80’s living on side streets in quiet neighborhoods. The listed suspect has no contractors licence. There may be other victims who have not come forward.
The last known location was on Monumental Street and Wythe Ave. in Henrico County.
Suspect:
Taylor, Thomas W.
Last known address: 2312 Wood Drive, Prince George County
DOB 7-9-1960.
Charges:
Obtain Money by False Pretense-Felony X2
Possible vehicle:
2000 Burgundy Ford Explorer Va. Lic. # WX-8896 Registered in South Hill, Va.
He may be in the company of Winfield, James Andrew B/M DOB 11-28-1964
Anyone with any information about these crimes or the whereabouts of Taylor is asked to call Inv. James Adkins, Jr. at (804) 501-0000 or Crimestoppers at (804) 780-1000.