CAMARILLO : Installer Suspected of Cable TV Scam
Ventura County sheriff’s deputies have arrested a cable-television installer on suspicion of selling stolen cable equipment to customers.
Larry Bignami Jr., 32, was arrested at his Camarillo home about 7 a.m. Tuesday, Detective Ron Nelson said. Bignami had worked for Ventura County Cablevision since January, and Nelson said he suspected that Bignami stole and illicitly sold cable equipment and services during most of his employment.
A search of Bignami’s house uncovered about $10,000 worth of cable equipment, most of it believed to have been stolen in a burglary at the company’s Moorpark location in May, Nelson said.
Nelson began his investigation after company officials received customer complaints saying Bignami was trying to illegally sell them converter boxes.
During the search, Nelson said, he also found financial records that show Bignami may have filed false tax returns and false bankruptcy records in the past year. Those records will be turned over to federal authorities for further investigation.
Bignami was booked in Ventura County Jail on suspicion of grand theft and receiving stolen property. He posted $5,000 bail and is due in court Tuesday.
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