Police warn of suspect accused of handyman fraud in Ashwaubenon

ASHWAUBENON, Wis. (WBAY) - A man has been arrested on charges related to an alleged handyman fraud scheme in Ashwaubenon.

Ashwaubenon Public Safety says Tony Ronald Cline, 55, was arrested July 20. He was charged with felony theft and released on a $500 bond.

Police say Cline took out an ad in the Green Bay Press Gazette offering services under the name “A-Z Handyman Services” with a phone number of (701) 729-7493.

Police say an elderly Ashwaubenon couple hired Cline for bathroom remodel work. They paid him over $2,100 for services he never completed.

A criminal complaint obtained by Action 2 News states Cline came one day to help remove flooring from the bathroom, but did no other work. He came back to the home each day from June 18-21 to ask for money for material invoices and labor costs. The victims would issue him a check each time.

On June 22, Cline told the victims a family member had passed away and he needed to deal with that situation. The victims attempted to call and email Cline, but it appeared he had blocked them.

One of the victims found a key to a Marinette motel that Cline dropped in their driveway. Police called the motel and got information about Cline, who had rented a room there for one night.

Police texted Cline and posed as a client looking for handyman services. The officer told Cline he was looking for work on kitchen flooring.

The officer arranged a meeting with Cline in Ashwaubenon and took him into custody and seized his cell phone.

Cline has a criminal history in five states with a similar fraud scheme, police say.

Police are asking anyone who may have been a victim of Cline to come forward. Contact Ashwaubenon Public Safety at (920) 593-4474.