WILLMAR, Minn. - A suspect who allegedly swindled the Willmar American Legion out of nearly $3,000 remains at large after failing to show up Wednesday for a court appearance.
A warrant was issued Wednesday for the arrest of Joshua Marko Demitro, 24, of Shakopee.
It was the second time in a month that Demitro was a no-show in Kandiyohi County District Court.
He was scheduled to attend a first appearance in court Dec. 9 but failed to show up.
Demitro faces charges of theft of service and theft by swindle, both felonies.
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According to the criminal complaint filed in the case, he and a second individual, who was not identified, came Sept. 17 to the American Legion in Willmar to provide a bid for repaving the parking lot.
Demitro allegedly was with a company called Affordable Roofing and Asphalt Paving of St. Cloud.
The complaint stated that he offered a bid of $5,746 and asked for a 50 percent down payment, which the American Legion paid by check. Demitro promised to start the paving project at 9 a.m. Sept. 21 but never showed up, nor did he respond to voice mail messages, the complaint alleges.
An investigation by the Willmar Police Department revealed that the check for the down payment, totaling $2,873, was cashed at a bank in Lakeville. Video surveillance recorded the transaction.
