KOSCIUSKO — A Fort Wayne man is facing local criminal charges after a victim told police they paid for home improvement work that was never started.

Jeremiah Donald Lowe

Jeremiah Donald Lowe, 36, 10333 Monticello Blvd., Fort Wayne, is being charged with home improvement fraud, a level 6 felony; home improvement fraud, a class A misdemeanor; and theft, a class A misdemeanor.

On April 29, an officer with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office spoke with a local homeowner. The homeowner advised that on Feb. 5, he entered into a home improvement contract with Lowe, doing business as J. Lowe Contracting, in the amount of $1,020.

According to the homeowner, Lowe was to install new gutters with $500 being paid for materials when the contract was signed and $520 worth of labor to be paid when the job was completed. On Feb. 5, the homeowner gave Lowe a check for $500 for the materials.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, the job was to be completed between March 25 through April 5. The homeowner advised that Lowe failed to complete any of the contracted work. According to the homeowner, he has attempted to contact Lowe with no success.

Lowe was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail on May 11, with a $4,500 surety and cash bond.