Unlicensed Long Island Contractor Bilked Family Of More Than $26K For Renovations: Police

PORT JEFFERSON, NY — An unlicensed contractor who accepted money for a home improvement job then falsely reported the cash stolen during a robbery in April has been arrested, Suffolk police said.

Troy Mayer, owner of Pure Renovations, called 911 on April 21 to report that he was robbed by two people of $26,300, which was the amount of the payment he had received that day from a Port Jefferson family for a basement renovation, according to police.

After an investigation by Second Squad detectives, it was determined that Mayer falsely
reported the robbery, and in addition to the payment Mayer reported stolen, he was paid $25,000 by the family on April 2 for work that was never completed, police said.

Mayer, 36, of Commack, was charged with second-degree grand larceny, a felony, falsely reporting an
incident, a misdemeanor, and operating without a contractor’s license, a violation.

He was held overnight at the 3rd Precinct in Bay Shore and later pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in First District Court in Central Islip on Sunday, authorities said.

A temporary order of protection was issued, according to online court records.

He is being represented by the Legal Aid Society, which does not comment on cases.

Detectives are asking anyone with information, or who believes they may have been a victim of Mayer to contact the 2nd Squad in Huntington at 631-854-8252.