What started as a pool house upgrade for a 75-year-old Biscayne Park homeowner has turned into a criminal case and a six-figure loss. The woman says she is out more than $243,000 after a renovation project went off the rails, and police this week arrested a Miami Shores man on felony charges tied to the job, after years of disputed payments and alleged building violations at the property.
According to Local 10, the victim hired Eric Bartholomew Brown in November 2021 under an $87,600 contract to renovate the pool house on Griffing Boulevard. Investigators say Brown demanded money for work that was not performed, claimed there was a $52,000 shortfall, pressured the homeowner into writing a $25,200 check, and sent an electrician whose work allegedly led to multiple malfunctions.
Licensed contractor, company ties
State licensing records show Brown holds an active Certified Residential Contractor license and operates Roi Construction LLC, according to the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (Florida DBPR). Public contractor databases and permit records list Roi Construction activity and include customer reviews that accuse the company of incomplete jobs and communication problems, per BuildZoom.
Charges, probable cause and bond
Authorities arrested Brown on charges of contractor fraud, first-degree grand theft and elderly exploitation. Court records show a Miami-Dade judge found probable cause and set bond at $22,500, Local 10 reports. The arrest report states that the more than $243,000 total includes claimed liquidated damages under the contract and that the victim has written promises from Brown to repay her, according to the station.
How neighbors can protect themselves
Advocates say older adults are frequent targets, and AARP and federal reports point to rising losses among seniors, which underscores the need for extra caution on home projects. Homeowners are urged to verify licenses and complaints with the Florida DBPR (Florida DBPR), insist on a detailed written contract, hold final payment until permits and inspections are closed out, and report suspected exploitation to the Village of Biscayne Park Police Department (Village of Biscayne Park).
