HOLLIS — Maine State Police say a suspect who allegedly took nearly $70,000 from a Hollis resident to build a house and then left the state before the job was complete has been arrested in Louisiana.

Richard Shirey, 46, of Grand Isle was arrested by Louisiana State Police on Wednesday as a fugitive from justice.

Maine State Police said in a social media posting that Shirey is being held at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office Correctional Center in Gretna, Louisiana. According to information provided by that facility, he is held without bail.  He is expected to be extradited back to Maine to face a felony theft charge, police said.

The charges stem from a complaint taken by Maine State Police Cpl. Douglas Cropper in Hollis on Jan. 7 in connection with a report of a felony fraud.

Police said the victim paid Shirey about $68,000 to build him a home in Hollis. The victim had allegedly paid Shirey for numerous building materials that were never received.

Shirey apparently built a concrete slab, a cinder block foundation, framed a couple walls for a daylight basement, and put down a gravel driveway before he abandoned the project and left the state, according to police.

Cropper learned through his investigation that Shirey had warrants in other states for theft and other violations. Shirey is also charged in Maine with possession of a firearm by a felon.

The investigation was coordinated with the York County District Attorney’s Office and a warrant was issued on March 11.

He was arrested at a home in Grand Isle.

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