Multiple Charges for Unregistered Chimney Contractor Include Home Improvement Fraud

This information was supplied by the . Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.

A resident from the 200 block of Ballymore Road reported that on Feb. 23 a contractor from a chimney cleaning company was at his home asking to clean the chimney. The homeowner agreed. As the contractor was doing work, he reported that the chimney liner needed to be replaced and the victim gave the company a check as a deposit for the work.

Police investigation showed that the company was not registered with .

A phone call was initiated Friday, Feb. 24 warning Springfield residents of the possible scam with a description of the suspect's van.

Police received a few additional reports of dealings with the same company. On Feb. 25 at 10:43 a.m., a resident in the 500 block of Kerr Lane called to report the company was at their home.

Patrolman Nicholas Paytas responded and took Shawn Harragan, 41, of Manor Lane in Copiague, NY, into custody and transported him to the police station. He was charged with theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, criminal mischief and home improvement fraud. The incidents are under investigation by Detective Sgt. John DiTrolio and Detective Bridget McCarthy.

Daly encourages residents to consult the Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor registration list at http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/hic.aspx or call 1-888-520-6680 before committing to any work.

To sign up for Global Connect alerts, visit the Springfield Township website at www.springfielddelco.org, then click on “current events” and look for the global connect icon to register a cell phone or email address.

Residents may call 610-544-1300 or contact Lori Devlin at ldevlin@springfielddelco.org or Alana Cervino at acervino@springfielddelco.org with questions about the Global Connect system.