El Paso's Sheriff's Office has halted a construction scam that left several families with unfinished homes and empty pockets. On Friday, 51-year-old Hugo Vasquez of H&V Remodeling was taken into custody, ending a fraud that had been plaguing homeowners who sought his services for home renovations. The East Montana Patrol Station detectives of the El Paso County Sheriff's Office ran an investigation that kicked off when a victim reported not receiving the services they paid for, despite the company cashing in on multiple payments.
It wasn't just one family caught in Vasquez's web; it turns out others were dragged down by the same false promises of home improvements that never materialized. The modus operandi was consistent, where the company would cease all forms of communication after receiving payments. This left behind a trail of incomplete projects and mounting frustration among clients. According to the social media post by El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte, the authorities were able to amass enough evidence against Vasquez, leading to his arrest on charges of Theft of Property (under $2,500) and Deceptive Business Practice with a prior conviction, with his bond set at a total of $14,000.
In the light of the arrest, Sheriff Ugarte issued a stern reminder of the consequences that await those who exploit the trust of El Paso County residents, saying, "No matter the crime, if you violate the law in El Paso County, you will go to jail," and he reaffirms the commitment of the Sheriff’s Office "to protecting the community and pursuing justice for all victims," as obtained by El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte.
