There are few things more frustrating than hiring someone to work on your home only for them to disappear halfway through the job. It’s even worse when the project involves an elderly family member who trusted the contractor in the first place.
According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, one Palm Coast landscaping business owner did exactly that. Deputies say he accepted thousands of dollars for a dock repair and landscaping project before largely disappearing and leaving the work unfinished.
The investigation didn’t wrap up overnight, either. It took nearly two years before detectives finally arrested the suspect, who deputies say had been the subject of an active warrant.
The sheriff’s office also says this wasn’t the suspect’s first run-in with the law. Investigators noted a criminal history that includes burglary, grand theft, and writing worthless checks.
A $4,000 Job That Barely Got Started
According to investigators, the case began during the summer of 2024 when the family of an 81-year-old Palm Coast homeowner hired A&A Landscaping to repair a rotting boat dock and maintain the property’s yard. The owner of the company, 51-year-old Avelino Jose Medeiros, reportedly quoted the family approximately $4,000 for the work and requested a 50 percent deposit before getting started.
Deputies say the situation went downhill almost immediately. Within days of signing the contract, Medeiros charged the family’s account without authorization. When confronted, investigators say he claimed the charge was a mistake and promised to refund the money.
According to the sheriff’s office, that refund never came. Over the following months, Medeiros mowed the lawn only a handful of times, never began repairing the dock, and ultimately took about $3,625 from the family without completing the agreed-upon work.
After a lengthy investigation, detectives obtained an arrest warrant on June 29, 2026. Medeiros was located and arrested on July 11 at a Dollar General on County Road 305 in Bunnell.
Detectives Didn’t Forget About the Case
Sheriff Rick Staly praised detectives for continuing to pursue the case despite the amount of time that had passed, saying, “Our detectives don’t give up, and they don’t forget. This thief stole from an 81-year-old senior. I wonder how he would feel if that occurred to his mother? Thankfully, the victim kept detailed records, and we kept investigating until we could get a warrant.”
Medeiros was arrested on two counts of larceny from a victim 65 or older. He was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility before later being released on a $5,000 bond.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office also noted that Medeiros has operated under several different business names, including Those Cabinet Guys Inc., A&A Linas Enterprise LLC, A&A Granite LLC, and AA Landscaping Enterprises LLC. Detectives are encouraging anyone who believes they may have also been victimized to contact the agency’s non-emergency line.
Commenters Shared One Piece of Advice Over and Over
Most commenters were less interested in the arrest itself and more focused on how homeowners can avoid ending up in the same situation. A common piece of advice was to avoid paying contractors up front, with one person writing, “Never give a deposit no matter how much they beg,” while another added, “Never pay anyone ANYTHING up front, and check court records before hiring.
Others encouraged homeowners to do their homework before signing a contract. One commenter suggested verifying that businesses are licensed and insured through the city, while another recommended checking the Better Business Bureau, searching court records, and asking trusted tradespeople for referrals before hiring anyone.
There was also concern that this type of fraud isn’t uncommon. One commenter remarked, “I think this happens a lot here,” while another predicted the suspect would simply “make up another AA business name and work in a different county.” Regardless of the jokes and personal stories, the overwhelming sentiment was that taking advantage of an 81-year-old homeowner deserved to be prosecuted.