BRUNSWICK, Maine — Brunswick police arrested Benjamin Jacques, 44, of Topsham, on Saturday in connection with an alleged snowblower repair scam that left a resident without their original machine.
According to authorities, a Brunswick homeowner arranged for Jacques to repair a snowblower after connecting with him through the Nextdoor app. Jacques picked up the equipment from the residence and returned it nearly two weeks later, billing the homeowner for the work.
However, the client soon discovered the returned snowblower was not only broken, but was not the same machine. When confronted, Jacques denied any wrongdoing, prompting the homeowner to contact police.
Investigators confirmed through serial number verification that the snowblower returned did not belong to the victim. Officers later located the original snowblower at Jacques’ residence, where it was recovered and returned to its owner.
Jacques was charged with theft by deception and is being held on $300 cash bail. He is scheduled to appear in West Bath District Court on February 3.
Brunswick police are reminding residents to exercise caution when using community apps and public forums to hire service providers. They also recommend keeping documentation, including serial numbers, to protect against potential fraud.
