A Charlotte homeowner says what started as a quick front-yard touch up turned ugly when a crew of door-to-door landscapers allegedly kicked her dog, hounded her for cash and would not leave until she handed over hundreds of dollars. Holly Bryant, who lives in the Eastover neighborhood, told Channel 9 she thought the pine-straw job would run about $100 but was told she owed far more and ultimately paid $500 in cash to make the crew go away. The incident is drawing extra attention because authorities in nearby Lancaster, South Carolina, are investigating a similar door-to-door pine-straw operation.
Victim recalls confrontation at her front door
Bryant said the men walked up offering pine needles at roughly $5 a bale and got to work, then sharply boosted the bill and became aggressive. She says one of the workers kicked her dog and they kept pounding on her front door while demanding payment. She told WSOC she had expected to pay around $100 but finally gave them $500 in cash so they would leave her property.
Lancaster police link suspects to a years-long operation
Investigators in Lancaster, S.C., say they are looking for three men, Joseph Butler, Tyderrius White and Anthony Bell Jr., who they allege have been running a door-to-door pine-straw scheme across several Southeastern states since 2020. The trio faces charges that include obtaining property by false pretenses, strong-arm robbery and criminal conspiracy, according to reporting by WBTV. Police say the crews quote low per-bale prices, then inflate either the bale count or the total bill, sometimes pressuring homeowners to pay immediately. WBTV reports that officers say one Lancaster victim was pushed into paying more than $6,000 in an earlier case.
One suspect surrendered as searches continue
Lancaster police told WSOC that one of the men, Joseph Butler, recently turned himself in and is now facing strong-arm robbery and other charges. Officers are still searching for the two remaining suspects. Investigators have released photos of vehicles tied to the case and are asking anyone with information to contact law enforcement.
How to avoid door-to-door landscaping scams
Law enforcement officials told local outlets that homeowners should check out contractors before any work begins, ask to see business licenses, get written estimates and avoid paying large sums of cash up front, according to WBTV. Officers have also urged anyone who thinks they were targeted to contact local police, and WBTV notes that Lancaster detectives have set up a tip line for possible victims. In Charlotte, if a crew at your door starts getting pushy, officials say the safest move is to close the door and call police rather than arguing at the threshold.
Legal implications
State reporting lists the charges tied to the Lancaster investigation, obtain property under false pretenses, strong-arm robbery and criminal conspiracy, all felonies that can carry significant penalties if prosecutors file them and prove them in court, according to WCCB. Authorities say the case remains active and that additional victims or charges could surface as detectives follow up on new leads.
