Man accused of running home-improvement scam

Photo

Kenneth Uthe

The Hilton Avenue man is accused of charging people for work he didn’t complete.

Staff report

BOARDMAN — A Mahoning County grand jury has indicted a Youngstown man on nine counts of theft involving elderly and disabled victims in Boardman, Austintown and Canfield Township.

The investigation continues.

“Kenneth Uthe, a 41-year-old, has been accused of defrauding victims in nine cases involving home-improvement scams,” said township Detective Glenn Patton. “Uthe would approach elderly and/or disabled victims and claim to have observed problems with their roof, usually involving nails or shingles sticking up on the roof of their home.”

Uthe, of Hilton Avenue, was doing business under the name of Weather Home Services Inc. and listed an address of 143 Boardman-Canfield Road. The address is actually the UPS Store in the Boardman Plaza.

The Ohio Secretary of State Web site shows no filings for that business and none under Uthe’s name, police said.

Police allege that once Uthe collected money from the victims, he would begin work and not complete it, advise the victims that there were problems that did not really exist, or do “repairs” that caused more damage.

Uthe was reported to have claimed more materials were needed, more problems were found or that costs had gone up, according to police.

They believe Uthe targeted the elderly or disabled because they were unable to verify the work he was supposed to be doing.

In at least one report, Uthe is alleged to have collected more than $12,000 from a victim.

In most cases the amounts ranged from $500 to $1500.

Anyone with information concerning the activities of Uthe, Weather Home Services Inc. or any other individuals that have targeted the elderly, is asked to contact Patton of the police communications center at (330) 726-4144. All calls will remain confidential.

Boardman police advise all residents to be wary of people who come to your residence, unsolicited, and ask to do work. Before signing contracts or agreeing to have work done, contact the Better Business Bureau and check complaints listed.