JC man accused of home improvement scam

A Jefferson City man already facing charges for exploiting the elderly by taking money and not completing promised home repairs has again been charged with a similar crime.

As of Thursday afternoon, Ronald Fields, 39, of 2910 Kenborg Hills Road, was being held in the Cole County Jail on $250,000 bond.

Authorities said this latest charge of felony stealing took place in April.

Fields was hired to replace a heating and cooling system in the 1500 block of Timber Trail.

He was given $3,500 to purchase equipment for the job.

Fields told his clients that the equipment was ordered, but his clients talked with the company Fields said he ordered the equipment from and they said nothing had been ordered.

Fields later told his clients that he would refund their money, but failed to do so.

He later admitted to authorities that he actually spent the money on personal items.

Fields had been out on bond while awaiting court appearances on the financial exploitation of the elderly charges from December and May 2013.