ORLANDO, Fla. (WRGB) — John Day, the owner of Coastal Stair Company LLC, has been arrested on charges of grand theft and an organized scheme to defraud after allegedly taking more than $23,000 from a couple for a project he never completed.
The couple hired Day in the fall of 2022, paying a deposit of $23,027 for materials for a project. However, they never heard from Day again, prompting them to report the matter to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office Financial Crimes Unit in January.
When questioned by detectives, Day claimed that Hurricane Ian had damaged the home he rented in Ormond Beach, destroying the materials he had stored there. However, investigators contacted the property owner, who confirmed that the home did not sustain significant storm damage and lacked a basement.
In addition to charges of fraud and grand theft, Day was arrested for failure to appear on a charge of engaging in contracting without certification. He was booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail and released after posting $31,000 bail.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the case.