Convicted Felon Accused of Defrauding 82-Year-Old Woman
An individual with a history of fraud is facing serious accusations after allegedly threatening an 82-year-old woman and stealing money from her during a home improvement scam last month.
Sonny Miller, a 32-year-old man with six prior felony convictions, showed up with two accomplices in a white pickup truck on February 2nd at a residence located in the 5400 block of South Drexel in Chicago.
According to reports, Miller confronted the victim’s daughter as she entered the house, claiming he had previously done roofing work there a decade ago and was now there to handle some basement renovations.
The daughter, seemingly unaware of any potential danger, let him inside to speak with her mother, who needed assistance to stand and walk.
Miller then instructed the daughter to boil water, stating it was necessary to mix concrete. Once she left the room, he pressured the elderly woman, claiming the work would cost $200 and threatening her with fines, police visits, and a lien on her property if she didn’t pay.
Meanwhile, two men were reported to have been applying unnecessary concrete outside the house, assisting in the scam. Once they supposedly finished the fake job, Miller attempted to collect payment. In a swift move, he grabbed cash from the elderly woman’s hand and fled with the two men, who were waiting in the vehicle. The filing noted that the woman was unable to put up much resistance.
After the incident, both the victim and her daughter contacted the Chicago police, reporting an estimated $900 was taken. Investigators later found a solicitation flyer that Miller had left behind, along with surveillance footage from neighbors that captured the truck and its license plate.
Law enforcement agencies were alerted and soon after a police department in Des Plaines recognized the truck, leading to its stop and the detention of its occupants.
One of the men in the truck, identified as Miller’s cousin, reportedly confessed to setting up the fake concrete job outside and confirmed that Miller was the one who interacted with the elderly woman inside. When police apprehended Miller, he was in possession of over $2,000.
Despite the evidence, Miller denied ever being at the woman’s residence. Judge James Murphy III, noting Miller’s extensive criminal record, ordered him to be held in custody.
Currently, he faces multiple charges, including burglary targeting a victim over 60 and aggravated housing fraud. Miller is being held without bond, with his next court hearing slated for May 6.
