DATE: December 13, 2024
SUBJECT: Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office Arrests Rooftop Construction Owner on Felony Fraud Charges
RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-NR-1213
CONTACT: Lt. Doug Daza
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Noah Robinson
The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office has arrested the owner of Rooftop Construction, a local home improvement and repair company, on felony fraud charges following an investigation into a complaint filed by a local resident. The complaint stemmed from a contract to repair storm damage to the resident’s home. Hanzel Ka Hoag was arrested on a felony warrant for fraud, a Level 6 felony, and transported to the Vanderburgh County Jail where he is being held on a $1,000 bond pending a court appearance. There is an outstanding felony warrant for another owner of Rooftop Construction, John Michael Shamo.
The victim’s home sustained significant damage during a tornado on April 2, 2024, when a large tree fell on the house. An engineer hired by the victim’s insurance company assessed the damage and estimated the cost of necessary repairs and replacements to exceed $75,000. This included the removal and replacement of the entire roof. Based on the assessment, the victim contracted Rooftop Construction, owned by Shamo and Hoag, to perform the repairs. As the work progressed, the victim grew concerned that the repairs were not being completed in accordance with the contract and that the quality of workmanship was substandard. Specific issues included:
- Only portions of the roof were replaced, despite the contract specifying full roof and framing replacement.
- Old insulation was used in areas where new insulation was required.
- New siding was improperly installed, displaying poor workmanship.
The victim initially paid over $26,000 for the repairs and was later asked for additional payments to continue the work. When she raised concerns about the quality of the work and refused further payments until the issues were resolved, the contractors ceased construction and stopped communicating with her. They also refused to refund any of the payments.
The victim reported the matter to the Sheriff’s Office, prompting an investigation led by Detective Tony Toopes. The investigation, conducted in consultation with the Vanderburgh County Building Commission and its inspectors, revealed that much of the work was not up to code, lacked proper permits, and failed required inspections. Furthermore, the contract itself did not comply with Indiana state codes.
When interviewed, Shamo and Hoag claimed they were unaware of the compliance issues and believed their work was satisfactory. However, the victim is now seeking estimates to repair both the original storm damage and the substandard work performed by Rooftop Construction. These additional repairs are expected to exceed the original estimate, as much of the completed work will need to be redone.
Sheriff Noah Robinson commented:
“Mr. Shamo and Mr. Hoag took advantage of homeowners during a time of great need, exploiting their urgency for repairs and assistance. The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office is committed to ensuring that those who unlawfully profit from the misfortunes of others are brought to justice and held fully accountable for their actions.”
ARRESTED: Hanzel Ka Hoag, 52, of Evansville: Fraud (Level 6 Felony)
WANTED: John Michael Shamo, 61, of Evansville: Fraud (Level 6 Felony)
Presumption of Innocence Notice: The fact that a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.