They showed up at homes looking to make a buck, but they had no idea who was waiting for them inside.
These so-called contractors were caught in the act.
Some of those contractors are accused of ripping off survivors of Superstorm Sandy.
"Why do you keep taking people's money and not doing the work?" asked 7 On Your Side's Nina Pineda.
Plumbing contractor Al Lakas is one of 61 contractors caught up in the Nassau County sting.
One by one they showed up at homes thinking they'd score some repair work and left handcuffed.
"Most of them were shocked, they knew they were unlicensed," said Sgt. Edward Grimm, Nassau County Police Department.
It's a crime just to advertise home improvement services without a license in Nassau County.
"These people were hit hard in the storm and to be targeted by contractors who neither have a license nor don't plan on finishing the work, it's just not right," said Madalyn Farley, Nassau County Consumer Affairs.
Not only were the contractors arrested, but the vehicles they showed up in were impounded and they can't get them back until the fines are paid.
The unlicensed contractors face a collective $156,000 in fines.
The county Consumer Affairs commissioner says after handing money over homeowners are left with nothing in return.
"When can you pay him?" Pineda asked.
"I'll pay him this week," Lakas said.
"He gives lies after lies," said Fritz Moise, homeowner.
Homeowner Fritz Moise paid Al of Al's Plumbing and Heating $3,000 to install a new air conditioner.
He says he took the money and ran.
"You keep working without a license and taking people's money, taking this man's money," Pineda said.
Less than two weeks after getting caught working without a license on Long Island, Lakas was behind bars in Brooklyn arrested by the DA's office for Grand Larceny and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property.
"Many if these contractors have priors ripping off consumers, they have funds outstanding," Grimm said.
Before hiring a contractor visit:
In Nassau County:
http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/oca/Licensing/checklist.html
In NYC:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dca/html/licenses/license_check.shtml
In NJ:
http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/LVinfo.htm
COMPANY NAME and Owner Arrested
Robert Freudiger- Robert Freudiger
Nicholas Alliegro- Nicholas Alliegro
Oscar Iglesias- Oscar Iglesias
Robert Maffia- Robert Maffia
ST & Sons General Construction- Tahir Mehmood
Michael General Construction- Miguel Chavez
Global Environmental Restoration- Michael Simone
Roofers United- John Derek DeMetro
Prado Home Improvements- David Salguero
Alfon Interiors Plus- Darren Confessore
EZ Carpet Service- Yizhar Damari
GR Construction Design- Spyridon Mouzakitis
American Paving & Masonry Corp.- Michael Them
Local Services Inc.- Jonathan Zino
Majestic Mouldings- Yaakov Yeshaya Fulda
Best Yet Maintenance Services- Michael Vitelli
Lou Recco Painting- Louis P. Recco
ASAP Restoration Inc.- Avraham Kardi
Perfect Marble Restoration- Yaron S. Shamua
Mack Restoration Inc.- Michael McCormick
Edgar Aguilar - Installation Service- Edgar Aguilar
Eddie's Do It Right Powerwashing- Edward Motto
Eli & Sons Roofing- Stanley Eli
Rescue Plumbing & Heating- Paul Monserrat
Bawa Construction- Gurpreet Singh
Elise Development- Byong Lee
Abdali Enterprises- Shaki Zada
Patriota General Construction- Jose Pandashina
GS Contracting of NY Corp.- Mohammad Ghumman
Top Hat Chimney Cleaning & Masonary- David Escalante
Irelands Own Construction- Paul O'Connor
Parada General Construction- Ali Raza
Poorman Tree Service- Joseph Noto
For Dad Construction of LI Inc.- John DeBatto
Juan Pablo Lemus - New Millennium- Juan Pablo Lemus
Tristate Wood Floors Inc.- Rajnarine Mohabir
John J. Contracting Inc.- John D. Joyce
Wholesale Flooring- Christopher Guthrie
Handyman Construction- Timothy O'Farrell
Bruce M Vader- Bruce M. Vader
FKJ Enterprises- Ermen D. Lopez
Easy Living Disaster Restoration- Felix A. Cruz Jr.
Boehmhome Heating Plus Inc.- Todd J. Boehm
Night Restoration Corp.- Barry Minsky
Dan's Home Repairs - Daniel J. Smith
Philip Wischerth- Philip Wischerth
Ralph Rizzo Building- Ralph Rizzo
Mazzarese Construction- Paul Mazzarese Jr.
Chris Guthrie dba Level Flooring- Christopher Guthrie
JCV Painting- Scott Andrew Campos Ponte
Ali Arnez- Ali Arnez
DR Garage Doors- Noam Dror
A1 Plumbing & Heating- John Esposito
Al's Heating Service- Al Lakas, Alfred P. Lakas
