A River Grove resident and businessman who’s been accused of shady business practices in the past was arrested by police Friday on a warrant out of Wisconsin.
Eric R. Nelson, 48, of the 2400 block of Forestview Avenue, was arrested by River Grove police at 12:45 p.m. Feb. 13 at the intersection of River Road and First Avenue on a warrant for felony theft. The warrant was issued by the Wisconsin Dells Police Department.
Nelson is no stranger to legal trouble. He’s already facing a lawsuit from the Illinois attorney general’s office and a separate investigation by the Roselle Police Department. Both incidents involve Nelson getting a cash deposit to do construction work on homes, and the work is not completed or only partially completed.
Police at the Wisconsin Dells Police Department said their warrant is similar.
In July, members of the Roselle, River Grove and Elmwood Park police departments executed a search warrant with a representative from the state’s attorney’s office at Nelson’s residence. His home is also the address of his construction company, Construction Logistics Inc.
The Roselle Police Department’s involvement in the investigation deals with a claim Nelson allegedly took a cash deposit from an elderly Roselle couple to remodel their bathroom and roof, but the work was never completed.
The lawsuit against Nelson was filed in May by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office as part of a crackdown on home repair scams, with several home repair companies targeted. The lawsuit alleges that in the past, Nelson’s company has done plumbing, roofing and electrical work without being licensed.
The lawsuit also alleges that after completing contracted work, the company presented residents with new costs due to unanticipated complications. The lawsuit also alleges the company repeatedly failed to complete home repair work and failed to refund the customers for the work that was not completed.
River Grove police said Nelson’s court date is pending and they’re waiting for Wisconsin Dells police to extradite Nelson.
River Grove police said he was still in jail as of Feb. 16.