Suspect Sought in Dayworker Dispute
Police issued a warrant Wednesday for an El Toro man accused of reneging on a promise to pay two dayworkers.
Police said they seek Ela Taufa Tuipulotu, 38, who is suspected of hiring Teordora Gonzalez, 39, and Pedro Dector, 19, off a street corner to complete masonry and landscaping improvements at two Orange homes, Police Lt. Ed Tunstall said.
Tuipulotu was hired by the homeowners to recruit workers, Tunstall said, and promised that he would pay them once the work was complete.
But when the homeowners paid Tuipulotu in full after the job, Tuipulotu allegedly left the dayworkers stranded at a store with just $20, Tunstall said.
Gonzalez and Dector told police Tuipulotu owes them $495 each.
Police asked victims of similar crimes to contact detective Pat Thayer at (714) 744-7515.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
