The Bexar County Sheriff's Office is warning San Antonio-area residents about a contractor accused of cashing big upfront checks for electrical work and then vanishing, leaving homes half-finished and wallets a lot lighter. Deputies say several households were left with incomplete jobs and out thousands of dollars after the contractor allegedly stalled with excuse after excuse before cutting off contact altogether. The message from authorities is simple: slow down and vet anyone who wants a hefty chunk of cash before they even pick up a tool.
The sheriff's office has identified the suspect as Sergio Alejandro Morales-Villareal, who is wanted on theft charges involving property valued between $2,500 and $30,000, according to KSAT. Investigators told deputies Morales-Villareal allegedly took large deposits for electrical work from multiple households, then dragged out the timeline with repeated delays before shutting off communication altogether. Reported losses in this case include about $6,000, $1,500 and $1,100. Deputies are urging anyone who thinks they might have been caught in the same pattern to come forward to help strengthen the case.
How the contractor allegedly operated
According to BCSO's advisory, the playbook looks frustratingly familiar: a contractor quotes a job, secures a sizable down payment, then lets the schedule stretch as the excuses pile up, until at some point the calls and texts simply stop. Beyond the hit to the bank account, that can leave homeowners with exposed wiring, unfinished electrical work and a mess to clean up with another professional. To reduce the risk, residents can use the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation's online tool to confirm an electrician's credentials before signing a contract or paying up front: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
How to protect yourself
The sheriff's post lays out some basic but crucial safeguards: verify licenses, steer clear of large upfront payments, hang on to receipts and message threads, and pay attention when a contractor suddenly slows down communication or goes radio silent, as reported by KSAT. Homeowners are also urged to ask for proof of required permits for electrical work. If anything feels off, officials say it is better to pause payment, double-check references and look up local permit records than to hope the situation magically improves.
A wider pattern in Bexar County
This alleged scam is landing in the middle of a broader headache for the region. Local reporting shows that law enforcement has recently seized large stockpiles of stolen breaker panels and wiring and arrested suspects accused of running theft operations that target construction sites. Coverage by the San Antonio Express-News and a stolen breaker panels bust show how stolen electrical equipment and contractor fraud can combine to drive up costs and slow down projects all over Bexar County. Deputies say that while the schemes are different, homeowners and builders wind up in the same place: paying more and waiting longer.
If you were targeted
The Bexar County Sheriff's Office is asking anyone who believes they were targeted by this contractor to call the non-emergency line at 210-335-6000 or visit the agency's website for reporting options and additional guidance: Bexar County Sheriff's Office. County officials also remind residents that BCSO will not call to demand payment and will never ask for gift cards or cryptocurrency to avoid arrest or clear a warrant. Keeping contracts, receipts, and text or email exchanges in one place can help both investigators and your bank if you decide to pursue refunds, formal complaints or criminal charges.
