Police say a Westport business owner accepted payment for furniture he promised to build but never delivered — in at least one case, he never started working on the project.

On Friday, July 15, Westport Police arrested David Bouchard, 55, of 105 Stephen St., Dartmouth, owner of Bay State Home Furnishings.

Most recently located at 260 State Road in Westport, the business has moved about — from Swansea to a State Road location near the Fall River line to its current location, said Westport detective Jeff Majewski. He added that the business had no license to operate from Westport.

“Mr. Bouchard had been the center of police investigations which dated back some time in Westport.” Det. Majewski said.

“Recently a female customer reported Mr. Bouchard had been paid over $500 to perform furniture building work which he had not only not finished but never started.” She said that her attempts to contact him about the project went unanswered.

Westport Detective Robert Rebello had also been in contact with investigators from the Carver, Mass., Police Department as well as the Pennsylvania State Police. A nationwide check on Mr. Bouchard revealed an outstanding warrant for the charge of deception/false impression out of that state.

Carver Police had applied for an arrest warrant after Mr. Bouchard was investigated for larceny by check over $250.

He was scheduled to be arraigned in Fall River District Court for being a fugitive from justice from Pennsylvania, and in Wareham District Court on the warrant from Carver.

Westport Police caution residents to research contractors or anyone they pay cash or check to for services that are supposed to be performed.

“In many instances it may be a civil matter if there was a contract and some work had been completed,” Det. Majewski said. “In other instances such as this involving Mr. Bouchard, the onus is upon the customer to make attempts either over the phone, in writing or by mail and to document the outcome of each attempt to get money returned if you’re not satisfied.”

To research a contractor, customers can contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division or the Better Business Bureau. If a person has a pattern of taking in money and not performing services the AG’s office may already have a record of it.

Westport Police ask anyone who has had similar issues with Bay State Home Furnishings or David Bouchard to contact the police department at (508) 636-1122. The police are still investigating current issues with this business.