A 58-year-old Maryland man is wanted for allegedly posing as a home-improvement contractor, collecting upfront payments from Wilmington homeowners and then abandoning the jobs without finishing the work, News Of Philadelphia has learned.
At a Glance
- Richard Kirchner, 58, of Maryland, is accused of soliciting work in local hardware stores and skipping out after being paid.
- Detectives say the incidents began in December 2025 and continued into mid-January.
- Kirchner faces charges of home-improvement fraud and criminal impersonation.
- Why it matters: Homeowners could lose thousands if more victims hesitate to come forward while the suspect remains at large.
Police in New Castle County say Kirchner approached residents inside hardware stores last month, struck up conversations about renovation needs and offered his services as a contractor. At least one group of homeowners in the Pepper Ridge Townhouse community agreed to hire him, handing over cash for promised repairs.
On Jan. 14, officers were dispatched to South Topelo Turn in the same development after the residents reported Kirchner took their money but never returned to complete the projects, according to the police statement.
Investigators have since filed warrants charging Kirchner with:
- Home-improvement fraud
- Criminal impersonation
Authorities believe additional victims may exist and are urging anyone who interacted with Kirchner-or who thinks they were defrauded under similar circumstances-to come forward immediately.
If you know Kirchner’s whereabouts or suspect you were targeted, police ask you to:
- Call 911
- Email S/Cpl. Rodney Stearne at [email protected]
- Phone the New Castle County Police Department tip line at 302-573-2800
No further details about the amount of money involved or the types of projects promised were released. Kirchner remained at large as of the latest update.
