According to a Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office incident report, On April 27th, 2023, Deputy Smith met with the complainant (81-year-old) in the parking lot of the Sheriff’s Office. According to the report, “The complainant stated that she hired DS Encap LLC to do some work for her. She stated that she spoke with Dale Edward Smith, 24, about the work. The complainant stated that she paid Dale $8,700 to do some work for her. She also stated that she went with him to buy some flooring for the project, and she spent $101. She stated that Dale took the flooring and the money and has yet to complete any work. She stated she has attempted to make contact with them several times, but they still have yet to schedule the work. The complainant did have a signed contract for the amount of $8,700 and outlined the work to be done. No other information is known about Dale. The complainant had spoken with an attorney, and they referred her to the Sheriff’s Office. On April 28nd, 2023, at 3:00 PM, Detective Moody went to the address on Bowling Road and spoke with the elderly victims. Detective Moody Case obtained a copy of the contract the victims had with Dale, and it was signed by both parties May 25th, 2021. Detective Moody observed a large hole, approximately 10′ x 10′, in the floor that Dale and left for two years. The victims are disabled and had their son cover the hole for them with plywood. Detective Moody photographed the damage left by Dale. On May 3rd, 2023, Deputy Beasley met with Dale in the front lobby of 5842 Hwy 41, who was turning himself in on two felony warrants. Dale was charged with felony theft by deception and felony exploit/inflict pain to/deprive essential services to disabled persons, elder person or resident.
Man arrested after failing to do work he was paid $8,700 for by elderly couple in Catoosa County
