Gruner charged with multiple elder abuse crimes

Historic City News learned that, last night, agents with the US Marshal Service took 38 year-old James David Gruner into custody under outstanding warrants alleging exploitation of the elderly from both St Johns and Putnam Counties.

St Johns County Detective David Zufelt has been investigating Gruner, whose last known address was 1855 Century Boulevard, in four separate complaints for accepting money from elderly residents to perform various jobs, left uncompleted, over the past three months.

Over a span of the past twelve years, Gruner has been the subject of police reports and arrests for contracting without a license and victimizing the elderly around the state, Kelshaw told reporters.

Gruner is said to befriend elderly citizens, offer to do work for them, and once payment is received, leave without completing the work or making further contact with them.

The local investigation has revealed 21 reported incidents that have occurred in Brevard, Flagler, Putnam, St. Lucie and St. Johns Counties — with the youngest victim being 55 years-old.

When marshals placed Gruner under arrest, they discovered that he was in possession of a controlled substance, without a prescription, as well as drug paraphernalia.

He was booked into the St Johns County Detention Facility on bonds totaling over $157,000.

Detectives believe that Gruner may have additional victims. If you, or someone you know, has been a victim of fraud or other crimes involving James David Gruner, please contact the St Johns County Sheriff’s Office at 904-824-8304 and file a report.