Opelika Police arrest Washington man, who allegedly failed to pay over $600,000 to subcontractors

OPELIKA, Ala. ( WRBL ) — Opelika Police have arrested a Washington man on Monday, after he allegedly failed to pay subcontractors over $600,000 for their work on a residential development.

Andrew Charles Chambers, 61, from Longview, Washington, was arrested on Sept. 19 and charged with aggravated theft by deception.

Police say the investigation began in July after they received reports of theft of services from local businesses who had been hired by a contract and had not received payment. Chambers was identified by police as the contractor.

According to police, Chambers hired subcontractors to work on a residential development being built in Opelika. During the investigation it was discovered the local landowners gave Chambers over $600,000 to pay the subcontractors. Chambers provided checks to multiple subcontractors, however the funds were no longer in his account when subcontractors attempted to cash the checks.

Police say Chambers has been arrested on similar charges in other jurisdictions.

The Opelika Police Department is asking anyone with information to call please contact the Opelika Police Department Detective Division at 334-705-5220 or the secret witness hotline at 334-745-8665.

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