Arrest Warrant Issued For Roofer

DOUGLASVILLE, Ga.,None — As Georgia storm victims continued to recover from the latest weather situation, Channel 2 Action News consumer investigator Jim Strickland broke news of another roofer accused of absconding with insurance money.

It's the fifth case Strickland has discovered.

Strickland went to the home of roofer Thomas Reinke. There was no response, and Reinke's former Douglasville office was abandoned.

Strickland wasn't the only person looking for Reinke.

"Three other agencies are currently investigating him. Douglas County, Spaulding and Hapeville," said Newton County Sheriff's Office spokesman Lt. Tyrone Oliver. Newton County has filed two theft charges against Reinke.

Client Vickie Binns is out $7,218, according to an incident report. She got police involved.

Binns showed Strickland where water poured in on Monday night during the fierce storm that swept across the state.

Shingles flew into the yard. Her roof, first damaged in an earlier storm, was supposed to be fixed in December.

Binns said Reinke cashed her insurance check and never showed.

"I had hoped to get a new roof, but it don't look like I'm going to get one anytime soon," said Binns, as she held one of the displaced shingles.

Paul Grayson is the former salesman who signed up Binns and two other clients. Not one got a roof. He estimates total losses at $21,000.

"For him to take their money and not get the roof put on ... I think it's as low as you can get," said Grayson.

Strickland gave investigators a Facebook picture of Reinke. It had been emailed by a victim in Paulding County.

"He deserves to be in jail. He really does," said Binns.

Reinke's attorney called Strickland on Thursday, blaming the trouble on a business merger with another roofer that went sour.

Attorney Theodore Spalding said they're discussing plans for Reinke to turn himself in, and that Reinke plans to sue the other roofer involved.

WSBTV