(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA, Wis. – A Milwaukee contractor was taken into custody Monday after a warrant was issued last month in connection with an alleged $63,000 theft from a Kenosha-based restoration company.
Rafael Mercado, 54, is charged with felony theft by contractor for allegedly taking tens of thousands of dollars from Servpro of North Kenosha County without performing any of the contracted work. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.
According to the criminal complaint, Servpro owner Bryce Stirlen told police he hired Mercado—doing business as “Top Quality Services”—in May 2024 and paid him an initial $42,750 for sub-contracting work. Mercado allegedly made excuses for months about why the work hadn’t started, including claims of frozen bank accounts. Servpro later paid him an additional $20,375 for another project, but no work was ever completed under either contract.
By December, Stirlen and Servpro General Manager Mitch McKnight met Mercado at the job site and discovered nothing had been done. The defendant allegedly admitted his accounts were levied and asked for more money. Stirlen declined, and shortly after, Servpro terminated the contract and demanded repayment.
Bank records show Mercado deposited the checks but quickly withdrew large amounts of cash. The only purchases resembling construction materials were two small transactions at Home Depot totaling less than $620. Detective Ryan Pfeffer noted that Mercado’s business checking account had nearly $1,750 on December 1, contradicting his claims of being unable to start work.
Mercado’s business, “Top Quality Service LTD,” was administratively dissolved in 2008, according to state records. He has a history of liens, judgments, and a bankruptcy filing in 2009.
A criminal complaint was filed June 25, and a $5,000 arrest warrant was issued the following day. Mercado was arrested Monday and appeared in Kenosha County court Tuesday, where Court Commissioner William Michel II ordered a $5,000 cash bail. He is due back in court July 18 for a preliminary hearing.
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5 Responses
https://www.ice.gov/webform/ice-tip-form
Deport him!
💯
Contractors are the worst. Employers MUST do background checks!!!
YES! THIS! 100%!