SMITH COUNTY, Texas — A Tyler man and woman were arrested on Wednesday for allegedly posing as chimney sweeps and scamming an elderly person out of $750 earlier this year.
Steven Gonzalez and Erika Salinas, both 33, are charged with theft from the elderly.
Gonzalez and Salinas posed as a business called ETX Chimney Sweep. According to a news release from the Smith County Sheriff's Office, the victim was informed that parts were needed to repair the chimney and was given a $750 quote.
The news release said the parts were never delivered or installed. The victim sent several texts to Salinas in an attempt to retrieve the money, but he was unsuccessful.
"Over a period of months, the victim was met with continuous excuses as to why they could not refund his money which lasted until August