Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office Make Arrest in Home Repair Fraud

BALDWIN COUNTY Ala

November 26, 2024

The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation after receiving a complaint of a possible home repair fraud and secured an arrest warrant for a person involved in the incident.

On Thursday, November 23, 2024, the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office served the warrant on 57-year-old Frederick Brewster Cook III of Seminole for the charges of Financial Exploitation of the Elderly 1st , Theft of Property 1st, and Home Repair Fraud.

The warrants stem from an investigation into the activities of Cook, where he entered into an agreement with a 67-year-old homeowner to repair and remodel an inground pool. 

The investigation began in August of 2024, after payments totaling $23,999 were submitted to Cook. Through the investigation, it was learned that Cook was not a licensed contractor, he did not perform the agreed upon work, and he caused significant damage to the pool, before he stopped showing up and ended contact with the victim.

The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind everyone to use licensed contractors and ensure building permits are obtained prior to work beginning.

You can check with the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors and the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board for a list of licensed contractors and the Better Business Bureau for information concerning businesses that engage in deceptive business practices.