Millsboro man arrested on over 30 charges stemming from multiple home improvement fraud investigations
MILLSBORO, Del. – A Millsboro man has been arrested on numerous charges stemming from multiple home improvement fraud investigations.
We’re told the investigations began in February 2023, involving 51-year-old Frank Stiles (aka Frank Smith), who reportedly operated under multiple business names, including Heron Creek Landscaping and Pools, Premier Pools and Spas, Regal Water LLC, and Stiles Group LLC. The investigations revealed that Stiles signed contracts with a total of 16 people to install in-ground swimming pools and do other outdoor construction. Stiles reportedly received more than $1.5 million in payments, and in all cases, Stiles either never began or never completed the projects.
Warrants were obtained for Stiles, who turned himself in on Monday and was charged with the following:
- Seven counts of theft where property value is $100,000 or more
- Four counts of theft where property value is $50,000 – $100,000
- Theft $1,500 or more where the victim is 62 or older
- Four counts of theft by false pretense over $1,500
- Seven counts of home improvement fraud $100,000 or more
- Six counts of home improvement fraud $50,000 – $100,000
- Home improvement fraud where the victim is 62 or older
- Two counts of home improvement fraud by false pretense over $1,500
- Two counts of home improvement fraud over $1,500
- Two counts of issuing a bad check equal to or over $1,500
Stiles was later released on a $187,500 unsecured bond.
