Alleged unfinished home remodel leads to grand theft charge

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. — A Fort Walton Beach man, who reportedly started but did not complete a home remodeling project, is facing a charge of grand theft, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has announced.

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) said it arrested Robert Brezeale, 44, on September 20.

According to the OCSO, its investigation into the dispute over a home remodeling project in Mary Esther led to Brezeale being charged with grand theft and engaging in contracting without certification.

The victim said he contracted to pay more than $45,000 for Brezeale to do a home remodeling on West Audrey Drive in December 2021, the OCSO said. The victim reportedly said he paid for half the work upfront, as was per their agreement.

The victim alleges about a week after Brezeale started, he began asking for more money to continue, which was not part of the agreement, the OCSO said.

According to the OCSO statement, the homeowner reportedly requested to cancel the job, get a refund, and get ownership of the supplies purchased. He said that never happened, and the job was never completed.

The OCSO said its deputies learned that Brezeale is not duly registered or certified as a Florida contractor. He was ordered to cease and desist last October by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, the agency reported.

The OCSO warrants for grand theft and engaging in contracting without certification were served on Sept. 20, it said.