Police: Contractor sought in theft stole $270,000 from customers

OCEAN COUNTY, NJ (WTXF) - Authorities in Ocean County, New Jersey are looking to locate a contractor wanted on theft charges in incidents stemming back to 2014.

Peter Rinaldi, 56, is wanted for second-degree theft by deception and second-degree theft by failure to make required disposition of property received.

Police say Rinaldi could not be located at any of his listed addresses when authorities attempted to serve him.

According to investigators, Rinaldi took checks from a number of victims for proposed construction projects from July 2014 through August 2016. Rinaldi has operated under the company names of Donovan Mark Custom Builders, LLC and Mark Anthony Custom Builders, LLC.

Rinaldi allegedly deposited the checks into his bank account and at a check cashing facility and spent the money on "his personal benefit and gain." Police say Rinaldi provided no materials, supplies or labor for the 12 victims, whose deposits totaled nearly a quarter of a million dollars.

Anyone with information regarding Rinaldi's whereabouts is asked to contact Det. Conroy, their local police or the US Marshals Service by e-mail at: usms.wanted@usdoj.gov.