Fruitland man to be charged with home improvement fraud in Del.

DELAWARE – Delaware State Police say they are investigating a Fruitland man for home improvement fraud.

Last month, an Ocean View family contacted the State Police to report a home improvement fraud. It was learned that 32-year-old Michael Joseph of Fruitland, the owner of Elite Hardscapes LLC, had previously agreed to build an addition onto their home, with construction beginning in January 2022. The family paid Joseph more than $23,000 throughout the year for the project, but the work was not completed, the contract was not fulfilled, and the money was never reimbursed.

Police say Joseph is currently incarcerated in Maryland and is now wanted in Delaware. He will be charged with felony home improvement fraud when he is extradited to Delaware.

Police are continuing to investigate similar cases involving Joseph and are asking anyone who may have been defrauded in a similar manner to call 302-856-5850 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333.