The contractor pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on Sunday.

The contractor pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on Sunday. Credit: Paul Mazza

An unlicensed contractor has been charged with falsely reporting that money paid by a client had been stolen, Suffolk County police said.

Troy Mayer, 36, of Commack, whose company was called Pure Renovations, reported to police in April that a cash payment of $26,300 had been stolen in a robbery, police said. The money had been paid by Port Jefferson homeowners, who hired Mayer to renovate a basement, police said.

Suffolk detectives determined Mayer’s report of the robbery was fabricated. He was charged Friday with grand larceny, falsely reporting an incident, and operating without a contractor license.

Police said Mayer also accepted a payment of $25,000 from the same homeowners but never completed the work.

Mayer pleaded not guilty at an arraignment Sunday in First District Court in Central Islip, according to court records. He was released on his own recognizance.

On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra, Michael Sicoli and Tess Ferguson take a look at what is in store for the Long Island boys and girls lacrosse seasons. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost; Morgan Campbell

Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 27: Lacrosse previews On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra, Michael Sicoli and Tess Ferguson take a look at what is in store for the Long Island boys and girls lacrosse seasons.

On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra, Michael Sicoli and Tess Ferguson take a look at what is in store for the Long Island boys and girls lacrosse seasons. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost; Morgan Campbell

Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 27: Lacrosse previews On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra, Michael Sicoli and Tess Ferguson take a look at what is in store for the Long Island boys and girls lacrosse seasons.

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