LARGO, Fla. – Largo Police have arrested the owner of an estate sale company accused of defrauding clients and operating under false pretenses.
Erik Sanudo, owner of Tebo Estate Sales, was taken into custody on November 19th and charged with Scheme to Defraud and Grand Theft.
The arrest follows an investigation that began in October when a victim reported that Sanudo had failed to pay the full amount owed from an estate sale. Sanudo allegedly conducted the sale in late September but left before it was completed. He later informed the victim that the proceeds were $28,203 and made partial payments totaling $5,500 before ceasing communication. Sanudo reportedly owed the victim an outstanding balance of over $15,000.
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When the victim threatened legal action, Sanudo claimed his business had closed and declared bankruptcy. However, investigators discovered that Sanudo was still actively seeking clients and had opened a new estate sale business under a different name, Florida Certified Estate Sales LLC.
Sanudo also had an outstanding warrant for grand theft in a similar case in Sarasota.
The Largo Police Department is urging anyone who believes they may have been victimized by Erik Sanudo to contact Sergeant Carvella at 727-586-7464.
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