Menu
Login
This crook called and called trying to get us to use Texas Pool Installers to do our pool. He promised to complete project in 2 weeks, for a price thousands of dollars below our mid range bid. We stayed away from the lowest bid and did not want just any cheap co to do the job. Nicholas Laroche stated his bid was normally higher but he would lower it for us, in order to get other jobs in the future that we were thinking of doing.
We gave him a 30% deposit -the pool was dug the following day. We asked for a 32x15' pool total cost $30, 000.00c the dig began no problems yet. Then Nicholas THE CROOK Laroche showed up the next day and said hole was too big then kicked the sub who dug the hole off the job. He never paid the sub for the dig!
Trouble started- we had not seen this guy for almost a whole week he would answer his phone and say he was working on it ! He shows up and askes for money and says we will have a crew here finishing this pool. We then saw him a total of 4 more times -he wouuld drop off a fw teenagers and the tile crew - he would always need another payment for tile/coping the pool equipment, the decking and the gunite, which we paid. We discovered later that he was not paying any of the subs that he had on our job. But we were pay him cash!
We received a letter stating the gunite co. was putting a lein on our home! When we confronted Nicholas he started yelling and threatening my husband and stated he will finish when he gets ready to. I have a huge concrete filled hole in my yard with no pool equipment (he never paid for it) no plumbing or electric - no plaster and no decking ! He took our money and did nothing!
I am warning anyone who comes in contact with this crooked thief to check your pockets and make sure your gold dental fillings dont walk away with him! Teaxas Pool Installers is a sham they are only out to rob hard working honest people!
Thanks to your experience, we were able to avert this tragedy as well. We have Nicholas LaRoche and Kelly come by as well asking for 50% upfront. After we read up on them and the numerous felonies, thefts, including being sought by Montgomery county as fugitives we were able to make an educated and informed decision on using their services. They worked with Precision Pools and now are operating under Texas Custom Pools.
I really wish we would have found this prior to us being scammed by this crook! We had found Texas Custom Pools online and called him along with a few others to get bids. We had several conversations on the phone and he made his way to our home finally. Was super professional and seemed very knowledgeable at first. We ended up hiring him for the job. He was going to start the project within two days and was going to head to buy the supplies. He asked us for a 30% down payment so we did give it to him. Everything was fine until he didn't show up the day of the job. We called him and he stated that his crew did not show up and that they would start the next day. Then he "hurt his back" and the lying and excuses started there. I started researching more extensively and found this posting. He will not answer our phone calls, text messages, or emails. I have found that since he has not even showed up for the job, he committed fraud. Had he shown up and stuck the shovel in the ground, it would just be a contractor dispute. I have found that he is a convicted felon and has pending drug charges as well.
I am not sure what all we can do but we are going to make sure that we do EVERYTHING in our power to make sure he NEVER does this to another person as well. I am pretty sure this is a violation of his bail right now. Has anyone contacted the authorities? Please DO NOT trust or hire Nicholas Laroche with Texas Custom Pools or with any other company he might be posing to own. He obviously has zero regard for the law or anything else and is too drugged up to care about his responsibilities to hard working people that hire him. He is a very talented con man!
What ever happened? I'm in the same boat. He took half my money and just duged hole. Its been since e d of September. Please let me know.
Like you, I fell for Nick's line and am out some money. However, he made the mistake of thinking he still had a pigeon on the line and I made sure the Houston Police Department found him. He has been in the Harris County Jail for almost a month. He jumped bail on a felony possession of methamphetamine. His next court date is scheduled for tomorrow, September 22nd.
@Cvtxbz I read your post again, have you filed a police report? You might be able to have him prosecuted on a felony theft charge. That would certainly help keep him behind bars.
I recently encountered this Nic guy and was not comfortable with his behavior. I know that he has been staying with some friends at room 325 InTown suites on hwy 6 near to HEB and Denny's.
This is what I am going thru right now..I signed contract on May 27th and since then have giving him 16k and all I have to show for is a huge hole in my back yard. Is there anyone out there that can help me get my money back? Can we all get together and do something about this scam artist along with Kelly Carson? Please email me at yoliv28@gmail.com.
Yolanda, I don't think any of us are getting our money back. I did file a civil lawsuit against him, as the police told me that what he did was not a felony charge. The only thing I can say, at least Nick is in jail now, and I hope he stays there a long while.
Lisa348...I'm assuming the Nick the crook is out since he continues to post his fake ads ads in Craigslist! I don't know how Craiglist does not stop him.from posting. He might be scamming other people they way he scammed all of us..
How can you tell it's Nic? I am a little new to craigslist, and can't figure it out. Let me know, because I will definitely get on there and go after him. I did file a civil lawsuit against him, don't expect to get any money, but will sure use it to get him off of craigslist.
Lisa..he uses the same pictures if the supposed pools.. I have screened shot some his adds...if you can do something thru Craigslist that would be good!
last know phone number [protected]
I feel for each of you that were stole from. I’m glad I found this site because I’ve been speaking with a guy I found on craigslist named Nicholas (last name unknown) and his brother about getting a price for a pool. His email says his company is Texas Custom Pools [protected]. He said he needs to keep his crew busy and to do so he can make me a great deal on a pool. I think I’ll pass to pass. I hope the phone number helps.
It certainly sounds like you've been speaking with Nicholas August LaRoche (DOB 10/20/1973) I give you all of those particulars in case you would like to look up his criminal record, and it is extensive. Yes, he does have a brother. (He used to have a girlfriend who was involved in the scam as well.) His "crew" are young kids who don't know any better that he finds on craigslist. And, yes, he does "business" as Texas Custom Pools (who have an "F" rating at the Better Business Bureau). That is a new phone number on him. If you want to confirm his identity, Montgomery County used to have his mug shot online, although it was taken before he really got into the meth addiction. I am glad that we were able to help you avoid what we went through. Although I am a little disappointed in the justice system that he did not serve the full year on the meth felony conviction.
Thanks Lisa. I’m also disappointed in the justice system and it’s obvious he hasn’t learned his lesson because he’s still running his scam. I know some people in law enforcement that I’ll contact and if nothing else, I’ll be another person bringing it to their attention so hopefully one day karma does its thing.
BTW - here’s the ad I answered on Craigslist where I started talking to Nicholas (last name unknown)
https://houston.craigslist.org/hss/6457953266.html
Yes i was also duped by this shark. i should have known but he talked fairly good shop. i hope they catch that guy... i should have known by his fake Ymail and lack of company website...
Here is his card in case you are curious
I dont think that it is Nicolas LaRoche that guy looks a lot older than the guy i met. The guy i met had blond hair but was in his 30's drove a yukon or some SUV with orange color paint and black windows. He also did not look as big as the guy in the mug shot located here:
http://montgomerycountypolicereporter.com/montgomery-county-crime-stoppers-for-week-of-8516/
This is the same guy still posting his scammed adds.
this is the same guy [protected] here is his last known phone number
Nicholas Laroche ripped me off too. It was on a pool installation where he asked for 50% down payment, which I did not provide. I did give him a few hundred dollars in cash. He left that day without doing anything and I never saw him again. I told him I would go to the sheriff with the information and he told me he would put a lien on my house if I tried anything like that. I did send in my story to the sheriff with all the information and docs that I had and I also filed a complaint with the State Attorney General of Texas. On 6/11/2018 nearly 2 years ago since the scam I received a letter from the Harris County DA. They are finally investigating this modern day swindler, even though he's been in prison multiple times for basically the same thing. If you would like to join the list of victims of this rip off crew please call Jeremy McAfee (Harris County DA Fraud Examiner) at [protected] he will be glad to hear from you. Lets all give Mr. Laroche and his cohorts the justice they deserve.
Pete,
hey this is Danny yes indeed all my info has been sent in already give me a call [protected]
Just checked with the DA and he's been arrested many times. He's usually only doing county jail time. He is a habitual offender and as far as I can tell has been arrested at least a dozen times. His crimes range from forgery to high dollar theft. He was last arrested in May 2017. He is definitely a smooth talker since he is getting off with minimal time, even though he has multiple priors. Let's help get him over to the state prison now for a longer stay this time. Call the DA at [protected] and ask for Jeremy McAfee and let him know about your dealings with him.
Nic is back at it! Anybody looking for him, he is currently at The Scottish Inn in Tomball room 220 with his girl friend Sidie Lurie. His phone number is [protected]. Fortunately we did not pay him up front, but he dug a hole and didn’t come back. They apparently are homeless with 2 kids and no vehicle and no money. He is on Facebook under Nic Laroche.