Above / Since November 2022 Naperville Police have been investigating home repair frauds, continuing to seek any other residents who might have experienced similar dealings. (PN file photos are used to help flag reports about Naperville Police Department responses to fighting crime, always reminding readers that keeping the community safe is everyone’s responsibility. Be a Naperville Crime Stopper. Stay safe.)
A months-long investigation into multiple reported incidents of home repair fraud in Naperville concluded Friday, July 7, with the arrest of a Romeoville man on felony theft and fraud charges.
This investigation was initiated in November 2022 when a Naperville resident reported a contractor named “Salvador Fuertes” failed to fulfill his contractual obligations. The subject allegedly collected a down payment from the resident to complete a concrete patio project but never performed any work and refused to return the money.
Between November 2022 and May 2023, Naperville Police received an additional five reports of home repair fraud involving “Salvador Fuertes,” who allegedly collected money from the Naperville residents for various concrete work projects he never completed.
Additionally, “Salvador Fuertes” was purporting himself to be a Lucas Landscaping employee, but Lucas Landscaping neither was aware nor authorized the man to work under the company’s name.
During the investigation, Naperville Police identified “Salvador Fuertes” as Salvador Garcia, 34, of the 300 block of Eaton Avenue, Romeoville. He was arrested Friday, July 7, 2023, and charged with the following felonies:
- Two Counts of Continuing Financial Crimes Enterprise, Class 1
- One Count of Theft, Class 2
- Three Counts of Theft, Class 3
- Four Counts of Home Repair Fraud, Class 4
Anyone who may have had similar dealings with Mr. Garcia, who allegedly used a name “Salvador Fuertes” and cell phone number (331) 425-9288 to communicate with all Naperville residents who became victims of his scam, is asked to call the Naperville Police Department’s Investigations Division at (630) 420-6665.
The Naperville Police wish to remind the public and the news media that a charge is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Report submitted by Public Information Office for the Naperville Police Department.
