Milton man arrested on numerous home improvement fraud charges

MILTON, Del. – A Milton man has been arrested on home improvement fraud charges stemming from multiple investigations.

According to police, the investigations began in March 2024, involving 46-year-old Christopher Russell of Great Outdoors Sunrooms and Shade Solutions. The investigations revealed that Russell had signed contracts with five victims in Kent and Sussex Counties to do construction work. He reportedly received over $118,000 in payments, and either never began or never completed any of the projects.

Russell turned himself in on Friday and was charged with home improvement fraud value $50,000 to $100,000, home improvement fraud $1500 or more, home improvement fraud by false pretenses $1500 or more, two counts of home improvement fraud by false pretense $1500 or more where victim is over 62, two counts of theft over $1500 where victim is over 62, two counts of theft over $1500, and theft by false pretense over $1500.

He was later released on a $23,000 unsecured bond.

Detectives ask anyone who may have been defrauded by Russell in a similar manner to contact Troop 3 Financial Crimes Unit for Kent County at 302-697-4454 or Troop 3 Financial Crimes Unit for Sussex County at 302-856-5850.