State Police Arrest “Transient” Father-Son on Home Improvement Fraud Charge

State Police say they’ve arrested a father-son duo on a felony home improvement fraud charge. And they believe there could be more victims of their fraud, including here in Schuylkill County.

The arrest came after an investigation into a complaint filed in mid-December in Longswamp Twp., Berks County. It’s there, police say, an elderly man reported he was scammed by a home improvement contractor and his son.

Police identified the purported scammer as James Patrick Burke, 50, who was allegedly working in tandem with his juvenile son. They say Burke is a “transient” with a home in Bear, DE.

Burke allegedly told the elderly man his chimney was in need of repair. He wanted $3,800 for the job.

Police picked up the Burkes in December. But they believe this Berks County man may not be their only victim.

According to information released by PSP Public Information Officer Tpr. David Beohm, the Burkes may have tried to pull a similar con on others in Berks and neighboring counties, which might include Schuylkill County.

Here’s a photo police released of the elder Burke on Monday:

Burke may have used this business card to promote his services or give his clients a contact number:

Police are asking anyone who may have had contact with the Burkes – or those who’ve suffered home improvement fraud – to contact Tpr. Max Seiler at PSP-Reading. He can be reached at 610-378-4011

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