Suspected con artist arrested in Sylvania Township

10/24/2001

Sylvania Township police yesterday arrested a 39-year-old Perrysburg man wanted in Indiana on two counts of grand larceny.

Juan A. Arias, Jr., whose last known address was in the 100 block of East Seventh Street, is accused of bilking people by doing incomplete work as a contractor. Township police received tips that Mr. Arias had started to work in the area.

“He gets the money and does no work or does partial work and leaves before the work is completed,” Sgt. Jeff Judge said yesterday. “He would get thousands of dollars.” Township police set up a sting yesterday at a residence where Mr. Arias allegedly gave an estimate on a project. No money exchanged hands. Mr. Arias was booked into the Lucas County jail.

He's also wanted in Henry County on a bad checks charge, authorities said.