A man who police say has an extensive criminal record is facing felony charges of scheming to defraud businesses in the Lake Carmel area.

Kent Police arrested Scott Day, 43, of Mohegan Lake last Thursday after police received numerous calls in recent weeks from local business owners who reported that a man visited their establishments with a tale of woe.

Lt. Alex DiVernieri said Day allegedly reported that his wife’s car had broken down and he needed money for a tow: “Mr. Day also advised the unsuspecting business owners that he was employed at another local business. The suspect was successful in gaining the trust of the local merchants and defrauded them out of hundreds of dollars.”

Detective Gerry Locascio was assigned the case and according to the lieutenant was able to develop Day as a suspect: “The victimized business owners positively identified him through a photo array.”

Day was arraigned by Kent Justice Kevin Douchkoff and was remanded to the Putnam Correctional Facility in lieu of $100,000 bail pending future court action.

Police said Day was also a person of interest to other police agencies in both Putnam and Westchester for similar incidents in those jurisdictions.

District Attorney Adam Levy said the crime was a Class D felony carrying a maximum 7-year state prison term if found guilty.