A contractor faces a felony charge after allegedly collecting a $4,000 down payment for a roofing project and never returning to do the job.
Gail Larue Snook, 46, of 6 Geise Lane, Lock Haven, was charged with theft by deception after allegedly taking money from Michael Kilpatrick, of Jersey Shore.
According to court documents, Kilpatrick provided Snook with a $4,000 check that was to be Snook's down payment for beginning a roofing project. Snook previously had provided Kilpatrick with an invoice for the project, totalling about $3,500 for materials, $3,500 for labor and $350 for disposal.
Snook cashed the check on Dec. 14, 2011, according to police.
According to Kilpatrick, Snook had explained that the work wouldn't begin until after the beginning of the year - dependent upon weather. As time passed, Kilpatrick tried numerous times to contact Snook, who kept offering excuses, police said.
Kilpatrick called Snook a few months ago and found his phone was shut off, according to court records.
On June 22, Kilpatrick sent Snook a certified letter indicating Snook had so many days to start the job or return the $4,000. The letter returned to Kilpatrick marked "unclaimed."
Snook faces a preliminary hearing at 10:45 a.m. today before District Judge Jerry C. Lepley.
