A Haverhill man accused of defrauding a number of people, including immigrants, out of more than $100,000 was ordered held on $500,000 cash bail following his arraignment yesterday in Haverhill District Court.
Haverhill police say they arrested 47-year-old William Griffin of Haverhill on a warrant yesterday morning at his home following a lengthy investigation. He is charged with nine counts of larceny over $250. Authorities allege Griffin was engaged in a scheme to sell restaurant and food truck equipment to business owners and immigrants with language barriers who sought to start a food business. Griffin is accused of failing to deliver the items ordered. Police say their investigation is ongoing. One Haverhill restaurant owner said he was forced to operate his 20-year-old business without a stove when Griffin’s Rockingham Restaurant Equipment & Supplies failed to deliver.
“I purchased an oven from Billy Griffin of Rockingham Restaurant for my restaurant that I first saw on Craigslist. I paid for the oven upfront, and later agreed to purchased a char broiler that would be shipped with the oven and paid for upon delivery. I both called and texted Billy Griffin to confirm the delivery time because my old oven was to be removed an hour before the oven from Rockingham was to arrive…but Rockingham never showed up with my kitchen equipment. I called and texted Billy Griffin all day, but he never answered my calls or texts,” the restaurateur said.
The company also operates under the name of Tri State Restaurant Equipment, 104 Hale St., Haverhill.
In other police news, four people, including a Tennessee man, were arrested on drug-related charges in Haverhill on Wednesday. Haverhill Police report the four were taken into custody at separate locations between 4 and 11 p.m., Wednesday, three of the arrests made on outstanding warrants at Wingate Avenue, High Street and White Street. Charges include possession of classes B,C and E substances. One suspect, 33-year-old Henry Spera of Haverhill, is charged with possession of a class D drug and drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute.