Piano Man Scammed Customers Out Of $253K: Cops

LARGO, FL — The owner of Randy’s Pianos faces criminal charges after Largo Police say he agreed to consign pianos for 24 different customers, but failed to pay them proceeds from the sales.

According to the Largo Police Department, the agency began receiving complaints about the 5047 Ulmerton Road business shortly after its owner filed bankruptcy on Jan. 3. Det. Lara Young “spent countless hours investigating” the complaints, an email from the police department said.

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Authorities say Young's investigation revealed that Randall Sheets, the now-closed store's owner, took in pianos to consign for people over the years, sold them and then pocketed the cash “for personal gain.”

Over the years, victims tried to find out what happened to their pianos, but were “told many different stories by Sheets,” the email added.

All told, the police department received 26 reports related to the business. A total of 24 victims were identified, including seven elderly victims. The number of pianos taken in on consignment without owners receiving payment added up to 30, police say.

The total loss for victims is estimated at $253,070, the police department said.

Sheets was charged with scheme to defraud, grand theft and theft from persons 65 years of age or older on July 10. He was booked into the Pinellas County Jail, but wasn’t fully processed as of Monday afternoon.

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