Crime & Safety

Snowplow Scam Artist Caught in the Act

Michael J. Agresta was arrested in Bath Township on Sunday.

Michael J. Agresta, 40, of Highland Heights, was arrested in Bath over the weekend after allegedly conning several area gas stations out of hundreds of dollars.

According to Bath Township Police Chief Michael McNeely, Agresta would pull up to gas stations in a snowplow truck, show fake invoices to clerks and demand payment for work he never completed.

When Agresta attempted the scam at a True North Shell station on Sunday evening, the attendant grew suspicious and alerted Bath poilce. 

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Agresta was charged with attempted theft, a second-degree misdemeanor, and was handed over to Solon police, which had issued a warrant for his arrest on Jan. 30.

The warrant stemmed from a Jan 27 incident allegedly involving Agresta and a True North Shell station employee in Solon. According to Solon police, Agresta badgered the employee until he was paid $80.

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Agresta is being held in Solon Jail, and will be sent back to Bath once Solon's courts are done prosecuting him on theft charges. 

Agresta also has outstanding warrants in Lakewood on attempted theft and theft charges. Snowplow scams have been reported in Lakewood, but it’s not yet clear whether Agresta was connected to them.

Lakewood Police Chief Timothy Malley couldn’t be reached for comment on Tuesday.


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