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Thornton contractor helps Westminster woman who was scammed out of nearly $12,000

Man sprang into action after seeing Contact7 story
Posted at 9:55 PM, Jun 05, 2019
and last updated 2019-06-06 02:40:02-04

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THORNTON, Colo. -- Contact7 is getting results. Last week, we told you about a Westminster woman who had written a huge check to contractors -- only to have them disappear with her money. Another contractor saw our story and wanted to help.

Marty Herrera arrived at Pam Ruffin's Westminster home, hoping to help out a complete stranger.

"I had just seen it on the news and I just thought the lady could use a hand," Herrera told Contact7.

Last week, we told you how the 72-year-old woman had written a check for nearly $12,000 to two shady contractors to fix her fence.

The men said they were from the Eagle Eye Fencing Company, and after giving her two company t-shirts, they disappeared,.

Herrara says our story struck a nerve.

"I was watching myself and I said, 'Hey, I can probably give the lady a hand labor-wise.' Help her tear down, tear out and start setting up poles for her," he said.

Herrera is a contractor out of Thornton who owns All About Painting.

"It's a coward move. There are so many people out there struggling and hurting. For someone to just run off with the check and not come back..."

Herrera agreed to tear down the old fence and put up a new one — with no charge for labor.

He said helping out is simply the right thing to do.

"It was just uncalled for. The lady works hard like everyone else I imagine, just to give her money away," he said.

And after a painful $12,000 lesson, Ruffin says she and her dogs are grateful to Herrera for restoring her faith in humanity.

"It's a miracle. Probably thousands of people watch the show, and one person comes and says he'd like to help. I think that's a wonderful thing, so thank you so much."