Sod solicitor jailed

A man believed to have solicited funds from elderly residents for yard work was arrested Wednesday on grand theft charges.

A sheriff’s office arrest report shows back in July, Craig Neal told the victim he would replace 980 square feet of sod in her front yard. The victim later called the sheriff’s office after Neal failed to do the work or issue a refund for the cash payment.

In August, Neal told detectives he would return the victim’s money.

Neal, a transient, was already in custody in Pasco County on unrelated charges when detectives obtained an arrest warrant.

Neal , 58, was transferred to the Hernando County Jail on Wednesday, and is being held on no bond on additional failure to appear charges.

Court records show Neal has been found guilty of reckless driving, DUI and possession of marijuana in the past.