ARLINGTON, MASS. (WHDH) - Arlington police have arrested three men in connection with an alleged home improvement scam.
Officers notified by an elderly resident of a potential scam on Jan. 10 said three men charged him an excessive amount of money for home improvement work and damaged his property.
“This is a common scam that often targets seniors for various home improvement projects. The targeted homes are typically in need of legitimate repairs. However, the suspect will often quote a very small price for a minor job and then damage a chimney, front steps, retaining wall, roof or another part of the home, without permission from the homeowner. The suspect will then quote a much higher price and convince the victim to pay a large sum upfront, promising to complete the work, but later taking the payment without completing the work,” police wrote.
In this case, the man said three men quoted him $200 to fix a small crack in his front steps.
The men returned a few days later and allegedly ripped out the front steps without the victim’s permission and quoted the victim $6,000 for repairs. The victim ultimately wrote a check for a portion of the total amount, which was allegedly cashed by the suspects. The victim attempted to get his check back, but was unsuccessful.
On Jan. 13, Arlington Police detectives contacted the suspects posing as potential customers. When the three men arrived to a predetermined location, they were arrested.
Peter Gilheny, 21, of Quincy, was arrested on charges of unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, malicious destruction of property valued above $1,200, and larceny by false pretenses over $250.
Richard Gilheny, 18, of Randolph, was arrested on charges of malicious destruction of property valued above $1,200 and larceny by false pretenses over $250.
Patrick Gilheny, 18, of Quincy, was arrested on charges of malicious destruction of property valued above $1,200 and larceny by false pretenses over $250.
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