Accused con man caught in Arizona

A man sought by authorities in Boone County has been captured in Arizona and returned to Mid-Missouri.

Jack “Chip” Zike is facing current theft and stealing charges involving work at a new student housing complex and his latest company, Zike Construction.

Zike was was arrested on August 21 by Flagstaff, Ariz., police and taken back to the correctional center in Fulton in the last week. Arizona officials weren’t able to provide ABC 17 News with details about why or how he was picked up.

“Somebody with his criminal history and his track record of doing these types of things, it’s always a good thing to put a stop to it,” Boone County Sheriff’s detective Tom O’Sullivan said.

According to Arizona court documents, Zike’s extradition was granted on August 26.

According to recent court documents, Zike is accused of buying $4,500 in supplies using an invalid credit card. Zike says the card maxed out because he thought Mid-City Lumber would charge him later.

Mid-City Lumber got most of the material back by going directly to Zike’s job site, Aspen Heights in Columbia. Zike was not there because he says he was wrongfully terminated.

Many of Zike’s employees also claim they have not been paid. Zike says Aspen Heights only gave him a fraction, and he gave them all he could.

Zike said he would be willing to sit down with ABC 17 News and produce the invoices and receipts to clear his name, but he would not say when.

ABC 17 News first introduced Mid-Missouri to Chip Zike in 2009 after his extensive criminal record was exposed. Two Missourians said he took their money for services including wedding photos and duck hunting, and then he ran.

In the past 15 years, Zike has been convicted on six felonies, mainly for stealing. He has also been convicted on several misdemeanors for stealing.