By NOELLE KIELY
Staff Reporter
The San Bernarino County District Attorney's office has filed multiple charges against Larry Cromeans, 67, of Laverne and a warrant for his arrest has been issued after he reportedly attempted to defraud a 90 year-old female out of nearly $7,000 for roof repairs that cost $300 in materials and took less than three hours to complete.
According to law enforcement, Cromeans went to the victim's mobile home unit at the Grandview West Mobile Home Park in the early morning of Feb. 3 and told her he had installed her roof 15-20 years ago and was back to check for cracks. He indicated to the victim she now needed repairs to her roof and Cromeans, who is reportedly a roofer with KBJ Roofing Company, began the work.
Reports from officers indicate approximately three hours later the suspect came into the victim's house and asked for a check. However, the victim couldn't locate her checkbook so Cromeans said he would drive her to her bank.
Once at the Community Bank on Yucaipa Boulevard, Cromeans approached the teller with the victim and presented a copy of her bank statement, which revealed a modest sum and which she told law enforcement she did not give him. Officers speculate that while the victim was searching for her checkbook, Cromeans obtained the statement in a pile of papers at the senior's home.
The suspect then told the teller that the victim needed to order more checks. Bank employees questioned the relationship between Cromeans and the senior at which point Cromeans identified himself but was instructed by the teller that the bank would not discuss her personal finances with or in front of him.
Cromeans retreated to a seat in the bank's lobby and the victim proceeded to withdraw $6,993.93. The teller told the senior that was a lot of money for just fixing a roof and called the manager's attention to the situation. The two bank employees agreed there was something “not-right” and called Yucaipa Police Station.
Cromeans left the bank without receiving any money from the victim and detectives continued their investigation.
After submitting information to the DA's office, Cromean was consequently charged with Felony theft of an elder, first and second-degree burglary and unfair business practices.
Law enforcement commended the quick and professional action of the teller and manager at the Community Bank, which ultimately saved a senior from being taken advantage of and from stopping Cromeans from scamming anyone else.
Anyone who suspects they or someone they know have been a victim of this or a similar scam is asked to call the Yucaipa
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