Police run over driveway-paving scam

A Mississauga man is one of five people charged with fraud and other offences in connection with an asphalt discount scam targeting elderly victims.
Reports of alleged pressure tactics and gouging have been pouring in since
Durham Regional police went public with the story of an 80-year-old Bowmanville man who is out $14,000 after agreeing to a hastily arranged paving job at his home, said fraud unit Detective Mark Stone.
Five men have been charged with multiple counts of fraud over $5,000. And in two cases, charges of intimidation and extortion were laid. Threats were allegedly made to people and property when victims scoffed at high costs for jobs they'd agreed to without learning what the final tab would be, Det. Stone said.
Police said at least eight victims were contacted by a construction company this summer and offered what company representatives described as a discount price to have their driveway paved.
The pavers were charging anywhere up to $15 a square foot for jobs, while the industry standard is $2 to $2.50 per square foot, Det. Stone said.
Some victims who disputed the cost would be threatened with legal action, while others were frightened of physical harm or damage to their property, he said.
So far police have tied the Durham suspects to invoices bearing three company names: Belcon Construction, Hiway Maintenance and Velcon Construction.
Charged are Philip Dixon of Mississauga, Michael White of Dartmouth, N.S. and Jeremy Mussche, Steven Franklin and Istvan Bartha of Hamilton.
lrosella@mississauga.net