MARION COUNTY, Fla. – A man is wanted in Marion County after he took thousands for contracting work he never started, according to the sheriff’s office on Friday.
In a release, deputies said Anthony Silvestris, 33, went to the victim’s home in May to provide a quote for pouring a concrete slab.
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The victims placed a deposit of over $8,000, and Silvestris told them that he would “start the job after permits were pulled,” the release reads.
However, the job was never started and Silvestris came up with excuses when the victims contacted him for updates, deputies explained.
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According to detectives, Silvestris initially told the victims he was having equipment problems, though he later claimed his wife had “passed away suddenly.”
Eventually, Silvestris stopped communicating with the victims, and his phone number was turned off, the release shows.
Detectives said they found out Silvestris had cashed the victim’s check the day he received it, he had never pulled any permits for the job and his wife was still alive.
Now, deputies are asking the public for help in finding Silvestris, who faces charges of organized fraud and grand theft.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact the Crime Stoppers of Marion County at (352) 368-STOP, referencing 23-56 in the tip.
Tips leading to an arrest could be eligible for a cash reward.
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