Robert Smith, 44, of Norwood, was taken into custody Wednesday following a Douglas County Grand Jury indictment on six felony counts of stealing.
The charges include three counts of stealing more than $25,000 and three counts of stealing $750 or more.
Smith, a contractor by trade, is accused of collecting over $800,000 from six separate victims in Douglas County under the pretense of purchasing materials and constructing buildings. According to investigators, Smith failed to deliver on the agreed-upon work and did not acquire the necessary supplies, prompting a months-long investigation led by Douglas County Detective Nathan Long.
Bond for Smith has been set at $50,000 cash only.
Sheriff Chris Degase expressed gratitude to the Troop G Relentless Pursuit Taskforce and the Mountain Grove Police Department for their assistance in locating and apprehending Smith in neighboring Wright County.
