Contractor takes deposit, does no work

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A contractor that homeowners say took their money and never showed up to do the work fled when he saw News 4's cameras on Wednesday.

Sonita Dixon was beckoning for the contractor to come back just moments after he spotted News 4 approaching. His contracts and business cards say he is from Peterson Construction, but he didn't stick around to answer any questions.

"I told you I need a lot of work done. I need my siding done, I need my porch straightened out, I need my roof done. I even need some new windows and doors! I mean, I need you," Dixon said.

She is upset because her 71-year-old mother-in-law, Yvonne Primm, paid Peterson Construction a $300 deposit to get some work done on her house and it seems got nothing in return.

Primm said, "And he said, 'Okay, we will be back.' I haven't seen them no more."

Dixon added, "He took her money. He is supposed to get some doors, help her porch get done, and everything. But he is just going to take her money like that?"

Primm says when she calls his number, the line is disconnected and calls were never returned. The address listed for Peterson Construction turned out to be a second floor apartment at a house in Black Rock.

Reports on Peterson Construction name a Terry Peterson as the boss, but we believe the man we saw is Peterson's son. And we were told the Petersons don't live at that address anymore.

A spokesman for Peterson Construction got back to us late Wednesday and claimed the young man we saw wasn't scared off by the camera, but rather was afraid of all the dogs in the neighborhood. The spokesman also said they will refund Primm's $300 deposit.