Indiana State Police Warn Residents of Asphalt Crew Scam
Posey County – Indiana State Police are currently investigating an asphalt crew that are scamming residents. Last Friday, an employee of Oaks Construction approached an 87-year-old female at her New Harmony residence and informed her that the crew had an extra load of asphalt from a recent job in Mt. Vernon and they could offer her a good price for her driveway. She was allegedly quoted a price between $1,000 and $2,000. She agreed and the crew started immediately. Near the end of the job one of the employees knocked on her door and demanded $6,000 for the job. She wrote the check and contacted her son after the crew left her residence. Her son immediately contacted Indiana State Police and the crew was stopped on I-64 near the Indiana State Police post. One of the employees was identified as Michael Coope, 34, of Clinton. Further investigation revealed he had an outstanding warrant out of Crawford County, IL, for Failure to Appear for Home Improvement Fraud. He was arrested and taken to the Posey County Jail where he is currently being held on bond. The 87-year-old female was able to cancel her check before it was cashed.
Indiana State Police detectives believe there are other victims. Any person who believes they may be a victim of this asphalt crew should contact Indiana State Police at 1-800-852-3970 or 1-812-867-2079.
The crew is driving two new smaller white dump trucks with one pulling a utility trailer with a Bobcat tractor, roller and other asphalt equipment. One employee is driving a newer black Ford crew cab pickup truck and another employee is driving a newer white Ford crew cab pickup truck. Detectives believe the crew is using multiple business names.
This is an on-going investigation
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