Home improvement projects can be costly. What if a person offered to sell you material at a reduced price? Would you accept the proposal? Sheriff Stuart Wright says if the offer is too good to be true, it probably is. Trust only trusted sources.
Just recently, Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Detectives arrested a Natchitoches man involved in a fraudulent scheme to sell plywood at reduced prices to homeowners, some senior citizens, doing home improvement projects to their homes in Natchitoches Parish.
The investigation began on Jan. 9 when deputies assigned to the NPSO Patrol Operations Bureau responded to a monetary/theft by fraud complaint in the 500 block of Eight Mile Loop, near Natchitoches.
Deputies say while speaking with the complainant, they learned that a male operating a maroon-colored Kia vehicle and using a false name of “Mike Morrow” stopped at the complainant’s home inquiring about a vehicle. While there, Morrow who would later be identified by NPSO Detectives through investigative means as Shumichael L. Moore, of Natchitoches learned the complainant was in the process of doing a home improvement project.
At some point, during the conversation, Moore allegedly informed the complainant that he was employed by a Natchitoches Parish plywood plant and he was capable of getting plywood at a reduced price.
The complainant then paid Moore, $170 for 2-bundles of plywood. Moore would return the next morning offering additional lumber in the forms of 2×6’s and 2×4’s for an additional $320 dollars amounting to a total of $490 cash for the materials.
Moore never returned with the material.
An offense report was completed and turned over to the NPSO Criminal Investigations Bureau for investigative purposes.
Detectives then began their investigation.
On Jan. 22 Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies received a walk-in complaint at the Natchitoches Parish Courthouse from another citizen in the Oak Grove area near Natchitoches reporting that he was approached by Shumichael Moore offering to sell him plywood at a reduced price.
This led to the complainant giving Moore, just less than $500 for the material he never received.
Moore, reportedly traveled to the complainant’s camp in Winn Parish accepting additional cash for other material he never received. That information was reported to the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Detectives who were familiar with Moore and his previous fraudulent practices continued their investigation.
Moore, a convicted felon, and on parole has been convicted of felony theft. He has other arrests consisting of unauthorized use of an access card, issuing worthless checks, home improvement fraud and narcotics violations.
Detectives also confirmed with the plywood plant’s human resources office, that Moore was not an employee of the company and their practice is to not sell plywood to employees or private individuals.
As the investigation progressed, detectives establish sufficient evidence and probable cause to obtain criminal warrants signed by a 10th Judicial District Court Judge for the arrest of Shumichael L. Moore for 2-counts of Theft.
Detectives consulted with Agents with the La. Department of Probation & Parole, Natchitoches District Office.
On January 18, NPSO detectives made contact and arrested Moore without incident at a Myrtle Drive address in Natchitoches. Shumichael L. Moore, 38 of Natchitoches, was transported and booked into LaSalle Corrections/Natchitoches Detention Center charged with 2-Counts of Theft and Parole Violation.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Detectives say while interviewing Moore, he asked how many complaints had been filed on him therefore leading detectives to believe there may be additional unreported fraudulent theft cases, he may be involved in Natchitoches Parish and possibly surrounding parishes.
If you have any information or the victim of a theft involving Moore, contact Lt. Jared Kilpatrick of the NPSO Criminal Investigations Bureau at 318-357-7830.
Detectives advise residents to conduct business with trusted sources to avoid fraudulent practices.
*Verify Credentials: Ensure that any contractor or supplier is licensed and has a good reputation.
*Obtain Quotes: Compare estimates from different providers for fair pricing.
*Check References: Ask for and contact references to assess quality of work.
*Use Secure Payment Methods: Avoid paying large sums upfront and use traceable payment methods.
*Document Everything: Keep records of all communications, contracts and receipts.
Report Suspicious Activity to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office at 325-6432 or 357-7852.
