On the Run From the FBI: Fake Contractor Preyed on Alexandria Homeowners

The FBI on Monday almost nabbed a con artist who bilked Alexandrians and others out of $2.5 million for home renovations he never completed, the FBI said. The fugitive, Craig John Oliver, has been on the run for a decade.

The FBI has been looking for Oliver for the past 10 years. His victims were clients of Oliver's home renovation businesses, the FBI said. From 2002 until 2005, Oliver used fraudulent business licenses and induced clients to make payments for work which was never completed, the FBI said.

Oliver pleaded guilty Oct. 3, 2005 in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, to defrauding 68 Virginia and Maryland homeowners of more than $2.5 million, according to the FBI. Oliver even bilked a woman he knew was dying of cancer out of $71,000, The Washington Post reported.

Oliver was released from jail on bond, but violated his release conditions and a warrant was issued for his arrest on Dec. 6, 2005. Oliver failed to appear in court on Jan. 20, 2006, as scheduled, and was sentenced in absentia to 20 years in federal prison. It is believed that Oliver fled the Fairfax area in November of 2005.

On Monday, the FBI received an anonymous tip suggesting that Oliver and his wife, Jennifer Oliver, were living and conducting a home improvement business in the Los Angeles area, including in Culver City and Gardena. Investigators believe that Oliver was alerted and fled once again. When the FBI arrived at his possible business location, law enforcement officials were advised the couple had been there earlier the same day to pick up a check and mentioned they were leaving town, possibly to Georgia.

An FBI spokeswoman told The Post that Oliver was most recently going by the name Leigh Owsley. His wife, Jennifer Oliver, called herself Tara Jean.

Here's more information about Oliver, from the FBI:

• Oliver may wear a mustache and is balding with brown/gray hair. He's 6'2" and weighs about 190 pounds.
• Oliver's wife, Jennifer Oliver, who is not a fugitive from the law, is believed to be traveling with him and may go by the alias Tara Jean.
• In addition to California the two may have also traveled to Nevada or Georgia.
• Oliver works in Home Improvement Sales, Construction, Interior Decorating, Remodeling, Window and as a Door Consultant.
• Oliver's aliases include John Oliver, Craig J. Oliver, Leigh Owsley, Bernard Owsley, Mel Merlowe, Danny Sullivan and Daniel Sullivan

Oliver is also wanted for probation violation in 1995 which followed a securities fraud conviction in Arlington County.

If you have any information about Oliver, the FBI asks that you contact your local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate.

PHOTOS: Craig John Oliver and Craig John Oliver with wife Jennifer Oliver