UPDATE: Suspected handyman scammer turns himself in to Saanich PD

Saanich police last week requested the public's help in finding a handyman who allegedly defrauded three clients in the last year

Nelson Mendonca

Nelson Mendonca

A handyman being sought by Saanich police turned himself in Monday morning.

Saanich police last week asked for the public’s assistance in locating Nelson Mendonca, a handyman who allegedly defrauded three clients in the last year.

Mendonca, 34, is named as a person of interest in three cases reported to Saanich police involving landscaping and interlocking concrete paving work.

Police allege Mendonca has approached homeowners offering his handyman services, but has never completed the work once a downpayment was made.

Police believe Mendonca lives in Greater Victoria but his whereabouts is unknown. The courts have issued a warrant for his arrest to face three counts of fraud under $5,000.

Court records show Mendonca has been found guilty of frauds, break and enter and breaching court conditions multiple times, going back to the mid 1990s. In July 1999, he was convicted on nine counts of fraud under $5,000 and two counts of fraud over $5,000.

On Monday police said Mendonca was expected to appear in court later in the afternoon.

Anyone who thinks they’ve been defrauded, is asked to call Saanich police at 250-475-4321 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

editor@saanichnews.com

Victoria News