Local Contractor Jailed for Fraud

A Minden man is behind bars for taking advantage of a 70-year-old Shreveport resident.

Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator says Andre Blaze entered into a contract for home repair with the homeowner. Blaze was paid $3,700 up front, but failed to do any work in a 45-day period. Blaze sent another person, who stripped siding from the house. Blaze requested an additional $500, which the homeowner paid, but Blaze never returned to finish the job. The removal of the siding caused the home to be exposed to the weather, causing further damage.

Caddo Sheriff's Detective Robert Presley investigated the case and got an arrest warrant for Blaze in January. Blaze was arrested February 23 in Minden and brought back to Caddo, where he was booked into Caddo Correctional Center. He faces a charge of residential contractor fraud.

The Caddo-Shreveport Financial Crimes Task Force is investigating two other contractor fraud cases involving Blaze. Anyone with information that can help is asked to call Det. Presley at 318-681-0772.