Woman accused of snow plow scam

CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) - A woman accused of running a snow plowing scam was arrested Monday night, just hours after News 4 ran the story. Customers say she left them out in the cold.

The only truck believed to be linked to Terry Jarvis' snowplow business sits in front of Jarvis' home, where Town of Tonawanda detectives arrested her. Jarvis is accused of charging homeowners hundreds of dollars to plow their driveways then failing to deliver.

Town of Tonwanada Police Lt. Nicholas Bado said, "Complained to us that they had signed a contract with Terry Jarvis for snowplowing, and when it snowed, Terry Jarvis never showed up. When they tried to reach Terry Jarvis, they were unable to reach her."

And Lieutenant Bado told News 4 that Jarvis may have become a victim of her own sloppy workmanship when she tried to evade police.

"Upon seeing the police car pull up at the end of the driveway with the lights on, she did try to evade the police by backing out of the driveway around them, and oddly enough, got stuck in a snowpile," said Lt. Bado.

Snow plow scam victim Doris Jones said, "I am amazed. I really didn't think they would actually catch her."

Jones paid Jarvis $300 to plow her driveway, plus another $50 to shovel the sidewalk. She's now hired another snowplow operator for the rest of the season.

"Now I understand what people mean when they say, it makes me feel good to know that justice is being done, and she is actually in jail," said Jones.

Dr. Michael Rosenberg, a Cheektowaga dentist, paid Jarvis $1,400 to clear his parking lot for the season. But after we interviewed Dr. Rosenberg last week, he is actually getting a better deal from one of his patients.

"And he ended up seeing the story on your channel and called me up, and we made arrangements, and he is doing the rest of the season at a very reduced rate," said Dr. Rosenberg.

He filed his complaint with Cheektowaga Police.

Lt. Bado said, "We anticipate that this was a widespread scheme to defraud people, and that there will be more charges coming from other jurisdictions."

43-year-old Terry Jarvis is being arraigned in Tonawanda Justice Court Tuesday night. Police in Kenmore and Amherst have also sworn out warrants.

Officials say, after Jarvis' appearance in Tonawanda, she will be held at the Holding Center until she is scheduled for the other court dates.