Fake repairman steals thousands from Polk County man, deputies say

Nathaniel Rodriguez
·2 min read
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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Polk County deputies say they are looking for victims of a man who was connected to “fraudulent business practices” across four states, including Florida.

Sunday, deputies in Brevard County arrested Patrick Gorman, 55, of Ruffs Dale, Pennsylvania, on charges out of Polk County after he was accused of exploiting an older man in Auburndale.

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The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said on Jan. 4, Gorman approached the victim at his home in Auburndale, entering it uninvited and saying the resident owed him $8,750 for repairing a hole in the roof.

Gorman allegedly showed the resident a photo of a hole in the victim’s roof, but investigators said there was no repair work done at all and that all the they found was a patch of white coating on the roof.

Authorities also said a roofing expert confirmed the roof was only three years old and had nothing wrong with it. When asked, the victim said he paid the suspect because “he didn’t know what else to do.”

One of the victim’s relatives eventually discovered the crime on Jan. 18 when they found three checks that were written to Gorman — all totaling $24,550, according to deputies. One of the checks was said to have “roof repair” written on it.

Investigators said each of the checks had Gorman’s driver’s license number on it.

“The victim’s family has done a great job caring for him and had taken precautions to keep him safe,” Sheriff Grady Judd said. “Unfortunately, bad guys can always find a way to do bad things. Our hope is that this bad guy gets locked-up for a lengthy time, so he’s unable to take advantage of anyone else.”

According to the sheriff’s office, Gorman is believed to have committed fraudulent business practices in Florida, Maryland, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania. As of Tuesday, he now faces extradition back to Polk County on charges for burglary of an occupied dwelling, exploitation of the elderly, and grand theft.

However, deputies believe there may be other local victims who may have been exploited by Gorman. If you know anything, call the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Vice Unit at 863-292-3300.

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