VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Six people from central Florida were arrested in a sting operation in Volusia County after they were accused of trying to do contracting work without licenses.
State regulators asked Orange City police for assistance in the sting, meant to catch suspected crooked contractors
"(State regulators) did most of the legwork. We set up a location, with a couple of investigators and two uniformed patrol officers," said Lt. Jason Sampsell with the Orange City Police Department.
Law enforcement agents used a building near U.S. 17-92 to meet with contractors they said were working without required licenses and insurance.
During the two-day operation three people from Orlando, two from Apopka and one from DeBary showed up at various times, believing they were being hired to do repairs on the site, which was staged to look like it needed an air conditioner, roof work and a pool pump.
"We had one individual show up, he had a 14-year-old compressor that he got from another job site, painted it the night before and he wanted cash," said Sampsell.
As each of the contractors left Orange City police took them into custody.
"I think it was awesome. It was a great thing for the city, great thing for the state and great for the consumers and other businesses, so it's a win-win for a lot of people," said Sampsell.