Minden contractor arrested, accused of taking advantage of elderly victim

SHREVEPORT – A Minden contractor has been arrested after reportedly taking advantage of a 70-year-old victim, Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator said.

Andre Blaze, of Minden, was arrested for residential contractor fraud.

Caddo investigators say Blaze entered into a contract for home repair with a 70-year-old Shreveport resident and was paid $3,700 up front. He reportedly failed to do any work in a 45-day period.

Blaze eventually sent another individual who stripped siding from the house, then requesting an additional $500, which was paid to the homeowner. After receiving the additional money, Blaze reportedly never returned to work on the home. The removal of the siding caused the home to be exposed to the weather, which caused further damage.

Caddo Detective Robert Presley obtained an arrest warrant for Blaze in January, and he was arrested Tuesday, Feb. 23 in Minden and brought back to Caddo the same day.

The Caddo-Shreveport Financial Crimes Task Force is still investigating the case as two other contractor fraud cases involve Blaze. Anyone with information regarding fraud involving Blaze is encouraged to call Presley at 318-681-0772.