Contractor arrested in generator fraud

A Brandon contractor has been arrested and charged with defrauding a Neshoba County man out of about $10,000 over a generator installation.

The contractor, Eric Thames, 52, was arrested and charged with two counts of grand larceny.

Neshoba County Sheriff Eric Clark said Thames was arrested by Brandon Police on Friday, June 28, and was extradited to Neshoba County.

Clark said Thames allegedly told a man on Road 244 that he would install a Generac Generator at his residence.

Despite withdrawing over $10,000 on two separate occasions last year, Clark said Thames has yet to complete any of the work he promised to do.

The first withdrawal was for over $3,000 in October of last year, and the second was for around $7,000 in November.

The situation was first reported to Clark’s office on June 5. Clark said the investigation included conversations with the victim and Thames.

“He gave one excuse after another, and it became clear that Mr. Thames had no intention of delivering the generator,” Clark said.

Thames was brought into custody the same day the warrant was issued for his arrest.