NJ Man Arrested In Nassau Roof Repair Scheme: Police

GREENVALE, NY — A New Jersey man was arrested Monday in connection with a multi-person roof repair scheme in Greenvale and other parts of Nassau County, Nassau police said.

A man knocked on a Maple Street home and told the owner, an 82-year-old man, that his roof was leaking, police said. He asked the man to come outside and see the problem, police said. The homeowner left the home and watched a second man place a ladder against the house and go to the roof, police said. While on the roof, the man showed the homeowner a piece of wood, police said. A third man went inside the home with the owner and inspected a hole in the ceiling sheetrock, which he claimed was caused because of the damaged roof, police said.

The third man requested a check for $20K to repair the roof, claiming the money was needed to buy a machine for the repair, police said. The homeowner asked the men to return later in the day, police said. The men left and the owner contacted police, the department said.

Detectives were investigating the incident and were notified of a group of men fitting the same description who knocked on the door of a Marks Place residence in Roslyn Heights claiming to work for Roslyn Water District, police said. The men claimed the owner had a damaged roof and they could repair it, police said. The woman refused to open the door and told the men to leave, police said. The men drove away in a gold-colored SUV, police said.

Detectives saw a gold 2006 Toyota Highlander with a ladder traveling south on Mineola Avenue, police said. Detectives activated their emergency lights to stop the car, police said. The Toyota initially stopped but then fled southbound and crashed near High Street, police said. Four people got out of the vehicle and ran off, police said.

Terry McDonagh, 29, Keansburg, New Jersey, was apprehended by detectives, police said.

Detectives request anyone with information regarding the incident or people involved to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-Tips or call 911.

"If you were the victim of a similar incident call police. All callers will remain anonymous."

McDonagh was charged with second-degree criminal mischief, third-degree attempted grand larceny, third-degree criminal mischief, and fourth-degree attempted grand larceny. He was scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday at First District Court in Hempstead.

"The Nassau County Police Department urges the community to be on alert and to remind vulnerable family members, friends and neighbors about potential scams or fraud," the department wrote. "Soliciting for home repairs without a license is frequently in violation of town codes."