(St. Georges, DE 19733) On Saturday, June 18, 2022, at approximately 9:50 a.m., officers from the New Castle County Division of Police were dispatched to the 900 block of Melissa Court, in the community of Highpointe at St. Georges for a report of Home Improvement Fraud.
The 57-year-old victim stated that she had paid contractor money and that renovations on her residence had been started but had not been completed.
The victim provided the officers with a copy of a signed contract with 44-year-old, Gary Slagle of TriPoint Restorations, dated and signed June 22, 2021. This contract stated an outline of the work to be completed, monetary values to be paid for said agreed-upon work, and the timeline and expectations of payment and completion. The contract total was over $50,000 and the project was due to start August 2021 and end by October 2021.
The victim also provided the officers with copies of the three checks that she had provided to Slagle for payment totaling over $40,000.
The victim also showed a text message from the contractor, 44-year-old Gary Slagle dated January 19th, 2022, that stated the project would be done in 30 days. The last correspondence was in May when the victim asked for an updated schedule-and no response was given.
The officers signed warrants for Slagle’s arrest, and he came to police headquarters on June 23rd, 2022. He was charged with one count of felony Home Improvement Fraud $1500 or Greater. He was arranged by the Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on his own recognizance.
Based on this investigation, the officers determined that Slagle has done business in Maryland and Pennsylvania as well. The Division is concerned that there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward. We are asking anyone with any information pertaining to this investigation to contact S/Cpl. L. Lucas via email at leigh.lucas@newcastlede.gov or by calling the New Castle County Division of Police non-emergency number at 302-573-2800.
Citizens can text a tip anonymously simply by texting the number 847411 keyword: NCCDE. You can also submit a tip via our website at http://www.nccpd.com. Tipsters may also call Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333 or visit us on Facebook (IM) at New Castle County Division of Police.
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