Topsham man arrested in Sagadahoc snowblower repair scam

Brunswick police arrested Benjamin Jacques, 44, of Topsham, after investigators say a homeowner who arranged a snowblower repair through a neighborhood app was returned a different, broken machine. Serial-number checks and follow-up by officers led them to Jacques’ residence, where the original snowblower was recovered and returned to its owner.

Police charged Jacques with theft by deception and held him on $300 cash bail. An initial court appearance is scheduled in West Bath District Court. The case arose from a complaint filed after the homeowner posted on the community app Nextdoor to arrange the repair and had the machine picked up for service. The homeowner reported later that a different unit, also damaged, had been left in place of the original and that a repair bill had been issued.

Investigators say comparing serial numbers established that the snowblower returned to the homeowner was not the same machine that had been taken. That discovery prompted a search that located the original unit at Jacques’ Topsham address. The recovered machine was processed by police and returned to its owner as part of the investigation.

For residents across Sagadahoc County, the case highlights the practical risks that come with informal transactions during the winter season. Snowblowers and other seasonal equipment represent a significant expense for many households, and reliance on community apps to find local help has become routine from Brunswick to Bath and Topsham. That convenience, officials warn, can also create openings for deception when details are not documented.

To reduce exposure to similar incidents, record serial numbers and take photos of high-value equipment before arranging pickup or service. Keep written receipts, confirm identity and contact information for anyone collecting tools or machinery, and consider methods of payment that offer traceability rather than cash. When possible, use established repair shops or makerspace-type facilities that provide written estimates and job orders.

The arrest and recovery in this case may reassure neighbors who use online groups to trade services, but it also underscores an erosion of trust when local transactions go wrong. The matter will move through West Bath District Court, and law enforcement officials continue to encourage residents to document equipment ownership and to report suspected thefts promptly. For now, the community remains advised to treat online postings and in-person pickups as transactions that deserve the same paper trail as any small-business repair.