Man steals $10K after posing as contractor, promising dock repair, police say

STUART ― A man posing as a contractor stole $10,000 from a man in Stuart after promising a dock repair and never returning to complete the work, police said.

Stephen Snyder, 44, of Okeechobee, faces charges of grand theft less than $20,000 and contracting without a license, according to arrest records.

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Stuart police became aware of Snyder posing as a contractor in March, according to a complaint affidavit.

The man told police Snyder accepted $10,000 to repair his dock and never returned to do the work, according to the affidavit.

Snyder is listed as the owner of C&S Marine, in Fort Pierce, in the affidavit.

Police said Snyder was at the man's home in January and gave a quote to repair the dock for $100,000, promising to start work in March.

Snyder said he would need a deposit of $10,000, according to the affidavit. He also told the man he wouldn't need a permit to complete repairs, police said.

The man paid Snyder $10,000 and was told the money would be used to purchase supplies, according to the affidavit.

Snyder told the man he was a licensed contractor and insured, police said.

Police said the man called the Martin County Building Department and was informed by an employee that he would, in fact, need a permit to complete any repairs on his dock and that Snyder did not have an active contractor's license.

The man became alarmed when Snyder failed to show up for work March 1, according to the affidavit.

After repeated attempts to contact Snyder and obtain his insurance information, the man cancelled the deal with Snyder to repair his dock.

The man contacted Stuart police soon after and shared emails sent to Snyder along with a list of materials and estimated cost.

Stuart Police Detective Joseph Calderone attempted to reach Snyder several times to no avail, according to the affidavits. Calderone said he did receive one return call from Snyder, but did not detail an extensive conversation.

The detective learned from a Stuart building official that Snyder had neither applied for a permit, nor registered as a contractor with the city, according to the affidavit.

Snyder had no valid general carpentry license or marine contractor license and "obtained $10,000 from a man with the intent to deprive him of that money without completing any of the work he promised to do," Calderone wrote in the arrest affidavit.

A Martin County sheriff's deputy arrested Snyder Monday, records show.

Snyder was released from Martin County Jail Tuesday on a bond of $7,500, a jail official said.

Snyder declined to comment on his arrest.

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Mauricio La Plante is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow him on Twitter @mslaplantenews or email him at mauricio.laplante@tcpalm.com.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Stuart police: Man posed as contractor, obtained $10K, did no work