Police warn of men offering tree-trimming services

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As people start to clean up after this week's storms, police have issued a warning to one Charlotte neighborhood.

They are warning people in the area around Pineville-Matthews Road and Elm Lane, a neighborhood called Polo View, about two men with criminal histories offering tree-trimming services.

The Homeowners Association sent out a message Monday night.

Police said in some cases, the men do complete the work, but in others they take the money and disappear.

Skip Adams said he was duped by one of those men, Roger McIntosh, in 2011.

"I should never have hired him in the first place," he said.

Adams said he hired McIntosh in May of 2011 after McIntosh came to his door with a flyer for Town & Country Tree Service and offered to cut down trees.

He said McIntosh claimed to be insured and provided forms that appeared to show that, but that was soon tested.

"I heard this kerplunk and there's a tree outside resting on my neighbor's roof," Adams said.

He said McIntosh wasn't covered, and instead he ended up paying more than $1,400 to cover his neighbor's damage.

He also found out McIntosh has a criminal history that includes burglary charges.

Adams went to court five times but says witnesses or McIntosh didn't show up and the case was dismissed.

Now CMPD says McIntosh is soliciting work in a neighborhood only a few miles away from Adams's.

"I will be very careful now, you know," Joan Nicholson said after getting the HOA message.

Officers said McIntosh is working with Timothy Martin, who was convicted of attempted rape and assault just over 10 years ago.

Police say they're handing out flyers for McMartin Tree Service and it's not insured.

"These kinds of companies change their name from even door to door," Tom Bartholomy, president of the Charlotte Better Business Bureau, said.

He and Adams said people need to check out businesses before they hire.

"If he shows up at your door, close the door -- and call the police," Adams said.

Police said it's not illegal for the men to go door to door, but they want to make sure residents are fully aware of who they might be hiring.