Texas authorities arrested Emanuel Broadway, 50, and brought him to Montrose on Tuesday on a warrant alleging attempted theft and conspiracy.
A 75-year-old Montrose woman identified Broadway as one of two men who tried to get her and her 79-year-old husband to pay for repairs they were told in August would be done for free. Whether any repairs were made also is in question.
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Because of the Montrose couple’s ages, both suspects are charged with attempted theft from at-risk adults and conspiracy to commit theft against at-risk adults. They will be in court in February.
The elderly couple told deputies that Broadway and Fite told them they noticed loose roof shingles at their home on 6100 Road. The men said they were roofing contractors and would repair the shingles for free, an affidavit says.
The couple let them on the property, though the wife “thought it strange” that the “contractors” didn’t have their own ladder.
The men spent about 30 minutes on the roof, then wanted inside the home to check for leaks, saying the swamp cooler was leaking.
This made the woman uneasy, but she let them in, hoping they would leave if she relented.
The men then went into the attic and reported dry rot there, the affidavit says. They brought in a grease gun and lubricant.
Broadway allegedly said: “If you go up there and look, the stuff we used won’t show. You will not be able to see it.”
The affidavit alleges he then tried to collect $4,350. The homeowners balked, as they’d been told repairs would be free.
The elderly man said “he would contact the newspaper and let them know the men were ‘crooks.’”
According to the homeowners, Broadway said: “If you are going to put it in the paper, I’ll just give it to you for free.”
Fearful for her husband’s health as he was growing agitated, the woman wrote a check to get the suspects to leave. She told investigators she feared for her safety and felt intimidated.
The men left without providing a receipt. The woman called her bank, however, and stopped payment on the check.
Broadway allegedly called later from another man’s cell phone to ask her about the check, but he did not return to the home. (The homeowners knew the cell phone owner, but he hasn’t been named as a suspect).
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