Couple charged with scamming elderly on chimney repairs
Posted/updated on: September 29, 2025 at 3:17 pm
SMITH COUNTY — Two individuals from East Texas have been arrested for allegedly scamming an elderly person out of $750 for chimney repairs that were reportedly unnecessary.
According to our news partner KETK, law enforcement initiated an investigation in August following a report in March regarding two suspects soliciting chimney sweep services from a victim. Steven Gonzalez, 33, and Erika Salinas, 33, both residents of Tyler, are accused of telling the victim that his chimney required repairs and quoted a price of $750.
Subsequently, when the victim tried to contact the business they operated under, ETX Chimney Sweep, he received no response despite sending multiple text messages to Salinas requesting a refund.
Officials stated that neither Gonzalez nor Salinas made any attempts to refund the victim or perform the agreed-upon work. The victim ultimately hired another chimney sweep company, which confirmed that his chimney did not need any repairs.
On Wednesday, Gonzalez and Salinas were taken to the Smith County Jail on charges of theft from an elderly person, with their bond set at $100,000.
