Pool season is not shaping up the way one Parma homeowner expected. Parma police have obtained a felony theft arrest warrant for the owner of Lake Erie Pools after a 68-year-old resident reported paying $5,000 for a new pool that never showed up. Other customers told investigators they were left waiting on work, dealing with leaking liners, and struggling to get the contractor to pick up the phone.
As reported by News 5 Cleveland, the complainant, Bob Paulo, says he handed Lake Erie Pools owner Austin Reale $5,000 for the project, only to later learn Reale had not purchased a pool from his supplier and then stopped responding. Parma police told News 5 there is a felony theft arrest warrant for Reale, according to the station’s reporting, which describes months of missed appointments and frustrated attempts by customers to reach the company.
Company listing and website
Lake Erie Pools advertises liner replacements along with above-ground and inground installs and lists a phone number for quotes. The Better Business Bureau maintains a profile for Lake Erie Pools, LLC that names Austin Reale as the principal and gives an Akron mailing address, the BBB file shows complaints and notes a record opened in March 2026.
Other customers say they were left waiting
News 5 Investigators reported receiving emails from other former customers, including Lakisha Young, who filed a small-claims case alleging her liner was improperly installed and began leaking, and Angela Nemeth of Grafton, who also reported problems with her liner installation. In an online post, Reale wrote that he installed Young’s liner “perfectly” and that the leak had nothing to do with him, while customers told News 5 he stopped returning their calls.
What a warrant means
Under Ohio law, theft of property or services valued at $1,000 or more can be charged as a felony, and penalties increase with the value taken, thefts involving elderly victims can trigger enhanced penalties and restitution requirements, according to the Ohio Revised Code. A judge issues an arrest warrant only after reviewing a sworn complaint or affidavit and finding probable cause. An outstanding warrant authorizes police to arrest the named person while prosecutors decide whether to file formal charges, per guidance from the Ohio court system on warrants.
News 5 Investigators said they visited addresses listed for the company and attempted to contact Reale. A woman at one listed address identified herself as Reale’s girlfriend and told investigators some complaints were not the company’s responsibility and that Reale had discussed returning money. Parma police did not provide additional details about whether Reale had been located or arrested, and anyone with information is asked to contact Parma Police.
