SUBJECT: Home Improvement Contractor Arrested for Theft and Fraud
RELEASE NUMBER: 2016-NR-093
CONTACT: Lt. Noah Robinson
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Dave Wedding
The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office has arrested an Evansville home improvement contractor on charges of Theft and Fraud.
On Monday, December 05, 2016 the Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence on Big Cynthiana Road to investigate a report of fraud. The victim reported that Mr. Charles Reginald Newman II accepted payment for a metal storage barn located on his property at 3818 Kuebler Road. The victim reported that Mr. Newman failed to complete the transaction and did not return the money.
Sheriff’s deputies took Mr. Newman into custody at his Kuebler Road residence on outstanding Home Improvement Fraud warrants issued in Warrick County. Mr. Newman was later interviewed about the sale of the yard barn and admitted to defrauding the victim. At the time of his arrest, the Sheriff’s Office was already investigating Mr. Newman for credit card fraud. During the interview, Mr. Newman admitted to fraudulently using one of his customer’s credit card numbers to makes a multiple unauthorized purchases. During the interview, Mr. Newman made mention of a series of “bad” business decisions and cash flow problems at his construction company, RN Home Repair.
Mr. Newman was later lodged at the Vanderburgh County Jail. Anyone who entered into an agreement with Mr. Newman or RN Home Repair for home improvement or construction work that was not performed should contact the Sheriff’s Office by calling 911.
Contractors who receive payment and never perform work (or perform the work so poorly as to constitute obvious fraud) can be charged under both IC 35-43-6-12 (Home Improvement Fraud) and IC 35-43-4-2 (Theft). The law also provides for enhanced penalties if a victim is sixty (60) years of age or older.
ARRESTED:
Charles Reginald Newman II (pictured above), 26, of Evansville. Theft as a Leve 6 Felony, Fraud (4 counts) as a Level 6 Felony.
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Presumption of Innocence Notice: The fact that a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.