January 11, 2008
Help nab fugitive, earn $6K
Scam artist spotted in N.Y. may be on way back to Central Florida
BY KEYONNA SUMMERS
FLORIDA TODAY
A hurricane shutter scam artist who fled the state after skipping court hearings in at least two counties, including a sentencing in Brevard, may have returned to Central Florida, police said.
A $6,000 reward is offered for help capturing Andrew Fernald, 50, who was a no-show last month for several court dates around the state, including a sentencing for contracting fraud in Brevard County.
Melbourne Police Off. Mark Jennewein said Fernald was seen Sunday driving a periwinkle Toyota Solara in Deer Park, N.Y., and authorities believe he was en route to Central Florida.
Upon his capture, Fernald will be held without bond on charges he bilked more than two dozen mostly elderly people out of more than $50,000 in unfinished hurricane shutter contract work, Circuit Judge John Harris has said.
Crimeline is offering a $5,000 reward for tips leading to Fernald's arrest. Darren Peters, president of Express Bail Bonds, Inc. in Daytona Beach, is putting up an additional $1,000.
Jennewein said Fernald's vehicle -- registered in the name of one of Fernald's companies -- has a distinctive Sheriff Youth
Ranch license plate. The tag number is RI31Q.
The officer encouraged residents in Cape Canaveral, Melbourne and Palm Bay to keep watch for people who look like Fernald.
"We're encouraging the public's help," he said. "Lend us your eyes and ears. We want to catch this guy."
According to police, Fernald duped customers by using ads and "sales representatives" to do job estimates.
He would collect as much as 50 percent up front to perform contracting work for which he did not possess an appropriate license, authorities said.
The employees were victims, too, because, authorities said, they were only paid half their commission.
Harris issued a failure to appear warrant when Fernald didn't show up for his Dec. 20 sentencing.
He faces up to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to one felony count of scheming to defraud.
Fernald also has warrants for skipped court appearances in St. Lucie, Indian River and Monroe counties.
His offenses include theft and passing worthless checks as well as a similar hurricane shutter fraud case in Indian River.
Last summer, Fernald's former lawyer Michael Lambert, said the hurricane shutter cases were the result of internal company theft, and that Fernald had sold his home and was working several jobs in a quest to accept responsibility and pay restitution.
Prosecutor James McMaster said Fernald paid at least $20,000 in restitution to five victims before he fled the state. Lambert eventually quit representing Fernald because he wasn't getting paid either, prosecutors said.
Contact Summers at 242-3642 or
ksummers@floridatoday.com.
