Suspect Wanted in Olney Home Repair Scam

[Howard Hartman]

	DEPARTMENT OF POLICE MEDIA SERVICES DIVISION 2350 RESEARCH BOULEVARD ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20850-3294
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 10, 2012	FOR MORE INFORMATION:                         Media Services Division, 240-773-5030

Suspect Wanted in Olney Home Repair Scam

Updated Information

In mid-June, a 4th District Community Services Officer was given information on a possible victim of a home improvement scam in Olney. Through investigation, the officer was able to determine the following course of events:

On June 10, a 91-year-old resident of Olney Mill Road in Olney answered his door and was met by a male and female who convinced him that his chimney needed repairs. The victim signed an invoice agreeing to pay the suspects $825.00 to make repairs to his chimney. Approximately twenty minutes after the suspects began to “work” on the chimney, a family member of the victim came to the home and inquired about the work. The suspects stated that they had been working for four hours and demanded payment. When the family member stated he would call police, the suspects left in a red, 1986 Ford pick-up truck with Virginia registration XNR-6929. No money had exchanged hands.

During the investigation, a licensed general contractor inspected the work done by the suspects and stated that the “work” completed served no purpose and would not seal the chimney from the elements. The officer also confirmed that the defendant does not have a license to perform home improvement work in Maryland.

The officer was able to identify the female suspect as Virginia Breeden, age 49, of Spotsylvania, Virginia. The male suspect has not been identified. On July 4, the officer obtained an arrest warrant for Virginia Breeden charging her with attempted theft under $1,000, attempted financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult over $500, conspiracy to commit theft under $1,000, conspiracy to commit financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult over $500, acting as a contractor without a license, and conspiracy to act as a contractor without a license.

The Montgomery County Police Department wants to again warn residents of home improvement scams and the Office of Consumer Protection advises homeowners to use only licensed contractors. The need to remove trees from property and repair homes after this last storm provides a perfect opportunity for scammers to take advantage of people. Be cautious of door-to-door solicitors and if you encounter people who do not seem to be providing a legitimate and legal service, call police. Also be mindful of senior family members and neighbors, who may be more vulnerable to these types of scams. Report suspicious activity to the police.

If you have information on Virginia Breeden’s whereabouts, please call the Montgomery County Police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000.

Wanted: Virginia Breeden, age 49, of Spotsylvania, Virginia

Vehicle: 1986 Ford pick-up truck, red in color, Virginia registration: XNR-6929

[Howard Hartman]

	DEPARTMENT OF POLICE MEDIA SERVICES DIVISION 100 EDISON PARK DRIVE • GAITHERSBURG, MARYLAND 20878
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 12, 2013	FOR MORE INFORMATION:                         Media Services Division, 240-773-5030

Update        Update        Update      Update

One Suspect Arrested in Olney Home Improvement Scam

Second Suspect Still Sought

As the weather gets nicer, people are more likely to make repairs and improvements to their home. This is the time of year that home improvement scammers like to look for potential victims. The two suspects below have targeted a Montgomery County resident and police believe that these two individuals may still be attempting to scam people in the county

In June of 2012, the 4th District Community Services Officer began to investigate a home improvement scam in Olney. The officer determined that on June 10, 2012, a 91-year-old resident of Olney Mill Road in Olney answered his door and was met by a male and female who convinced him that his chimney needed repairs. The victim signed an invoice agreeing to pay the suspects $825.00 to make repairs to his chimney. Approximately twenty minutes after the suspects began to “work” on the chimney, a family member of the victim came to the home and inquired about the work. The suspects stated that they had been working for four hours and demanded payment. When the family member stated he would call police, the suspects left in a vehicle. No money had exchanged hands.

During the investigation, a licensed general contractor inspected the work done by the suspects and stated that the “work” completed served no purpose and would not seal the chimney from the elements. The officer also confirmed that the defendants did not have a license to perform home improvement work in Maryland.

Through investigation, the female suspect was identified as Virginia Breeden, age 49, of Spotsylvania, Virginia. A warrant was obtained for her arrest in July of 2012 and she was arrested in Fairfax County, Virginia in October of 2012. Through extradition procedures, she returned to the custody of Montgomery County on October 8, 2012.

The work invoice provided to the victim by the suspects was entered into evidence for fingerprint analysis. In early April of 2013, the investigating officer received notice of a fingerprint match to an identified person. The male suspect is now identified as Joseph Allen Sprinkel, age 30, of an unconfirmed address. A warrant has been issued for Sprinkel’s arrest, charging him with attempted theft under $1,000, attempted financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult over $500, conspiracy to commit theft under $1,000, conspiracy to commit financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult over $500, and acting as a contractor without a license. Police are asking for the public’s help in locating Sprinkel.

The Montgomery County Police Department wants to again remind residents of the signs of potential scammers and the Office of Consumer Protection advises homeowners to use only licensed contractors. Be cautious of door-to-door solicitors and if you encounter people who do not seem to be providing a legitimate and legal service, call police. Also be mindful of senior family members and neighbors, who may be more vulnerable to these types of scams. Report suspicious activity to the police.

If you have information on Joseph Sprinkel’s whereabouts, please call the Montgomery County Police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000.

Wanted - Joseph Allen Sprinkel

Arrested - Virginia Breeden