JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is still searching for a man who they said was portraying himself as a legitimate roofing contractor while swindling people out of money for work he never did.
Police said Goran Popovic would find homeowners and pass himself off as a legitimate roofing contractor working for Sunshine State Restorations.
JSO said that Popovic stole about $20,000 from his victims after drawing up false contracts to do repair work as part of an insurance claim and get people to pay him up front but never showing up to do the work.
Mark, who didn't want his last name released, is just one of Popovic's victims and said that he paid Popovic about $300, and was told that work had been done on the roof of a property he owns.
"I've been told to start thinking with my head, not my heart," Mark said. "I'm kind of an old school guy and it comes up to bite me."
After paying Popovic, Mark said that he realized no work had been done and hasn't seen Popovic since.
The Sheriff's Office said about half a dozen people, mostly elderly, had been fooled by the same man and they want him behind bars.
According to Mark, he thought he could trust Popovic because he had worked with him before after seeing an ad in the paper.
"I called the number and the guy came out and he had his staff members with him and they went to work and they went to work and they actually did a really good job," Mark said.
Mark said he decided to put his trust in Popovic again, asking him to help repair some roof damage on a property he owned. He said Popovic sent two guys out to do the work and a few hours later, Popovic called asking for his money in cash for a completed job.
"I came and I paid him and then I went by the house and the work wasn't done and I called him and he actually answered and says, "I'll meet you over there," and he didn't. I called him again, he answered again, he answered several times and then I figured I got the message from this guy, I'd been had," Mark said.
Tom Stephens, with the local Better Business Bureau, said it's not uncommon to see this type of scam, but said people should do their homework and research to make sure the people they're dealing with are licensed.
"It is a small amount of money in the grander scheme of things, but, you know, I get mad when I lose 20 dollars at a slot machine," Stephens said.
The BBB says after you research someone, and you decide to get work done, never pay the full amount up front. It should be a deposit. That way you don't run the risk of losing all your money.
"It's probably my fault too, you put your trust in people and they let you down more than ever. When I grew up some time ago, back in the day, it wasn't like that and things are changing so much no a days. You just have to be real careful," Mark said.
JSO said that Popovic is wanted for schemes to defraud. He is described as a 44-year-old white male, who is 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 300 to 320 pounds. Witnesses said he has brown hair and brown eyes.
Police are asking anyone with information about where Popovic may be, or anyone who may have been victimized by Popovic, to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office at 904-630-0500 or by email at JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org.
People with information can remain anonymous and possibly receive a reward up to $3,000 by contacting Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS.