Transient arborist scams Sioux Falls man

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Police say a Sioux Falls man is out $2,600 when an out-of-town arborist requested a second check after claiming to have washed the first check with his laundry.

     Officer Sam Clemens says the contractor, claiming to be from St. Paul, Minnesota, did tree work for the victim earlier this month and was paid by check.

     Clemens says the suspect returned the next day seeking a replacment check.  He was adamant that the first check was washed and would not be cashed.  The homeowner wrote a second check which was quickly cashed but the first check was cashed a couple weeks later

     Clemens says the victim has the names of the company and the worker but he hasn’t been able to contact them.  That's when he called police.