Asphalt Paving Business Scam Uncovered In Winter Haven: Sheriff

Lakeland FL

17 February, 2022

4:35 PM

Description

WINTER HAVEN, FL — Three out-of-state men face multiple charges with the Polk County Sheriff's Office after deputies accused them of operating an unregistered asphalt paving business within the county, a news release said. Raymond Wolk III, 36, of Michigan; Henry Stanley, 28, of New Hampshire; and 31-year-old David Menjivar of Texas face multiple fraud charges, deputies said. Wolk was arrested Tuesday on charges of scheming to commit fraud, fraud, grand theft and failure to secure worker's comp insurance, according to officers. The sheriff's office has not located Stanley and Menjivar as of Thursday. Deputies have warrants for their arrests facing the same charges listed above with Wolk's arrest. Wolk was released from jail after paying an $8,000 bond, deputies said. Wolk pretended to be the owner of County Asphalt and Trucking, LLC, linked to a Davenport address that was actually a United Postal Service Store P.O. box, the investigation reported. Stanley and Menjivar said presented themselves to potential clients as co-owners. A PCSO detective observed the suspects Jan. 19 on Spirit Lake Road in Winter Haven performing illegal asphalt work at store's parking lot. Deputies discovered Wolk initially asked the store owner to pay $5,000 for paving the store's parking lot. Wolk is then accused of asking the owner to pay $7,000. When the work began, Wolk is accused of trying to get another $5,000 from the victim. The victim did not agree to pay another $5,000, officers said. Investigators said County Asphalt does not have a permanent presence within the county nor do they have a business tax license, proof of workman's comp insurance or liability insurance. This was confirmed by the Florida Department of Insurance Fraud when they saw that the suspects did have any form of insurance in the state, which is a felony. Officers discovered that earlier on Jan. 19, Menjivar talked another business owner also on Spirit Lake Road into buying their services for $5,300. Two more victims have been identified, and the Winter Haven Police Department is investigating those cases. If you've been a victim of this scam or of these suspects, call your local law enforcement agency. If you know the whereabouts of Menjivar and Stanley, contact the sheriff's office at 863-298-6200. Contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226 TIPS (8477) if you want to remain anonymous.