A Jennings man has been charged with theft and contractor fraud after a homeowner reported that personal items such as jewelry, collectable coins, power tools, firearms and prescription medications went missing when he worked on her home.

Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Kayla Vincent said the victim hired Curth J. Romero, 28, in May of 2021 to complete electrical work at her home. She said she began noticing numerous items missing from the home while Romero was working there.

Vincent said during further investigation detectives learned Romero sold some of the stolen items to several pawn shops and jewelry stores in Lake Charles and Jennings. It was also discovered Romero was not a licensed contractor in Louisiana.

With the assistance of the Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, detectives located Romero at his residence, at which time they also recovered a large amount items that had been reported stolen by the victim.

Romero was arrested and booked into the Jeff Davis Parish Jail and later transported to the Calcasieu Correctional Center. He is charged with theft over $25,000; and residential contractor fraud failure to possess required license.  Judge Tony Fazzio set his bond at $70,000.