WILMINGTON, DE — Detectives have arrested a Maryland man accused in connection with multiple home-improvement fraud investigations in New Castle County.
According to the New Castle County Division of Police, detectives and deputies from the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office located and arrested 58-year-old Richard Kirchner of Elkton, Maryland, on Monday, March 9 in the 800 block of Elk Mills Road in Cecil County.
Police reported the investigation began in January 2026 after officers responded to several addresses on South Tupelo Turn in the Pepper Ridge townhouse community regarding reports involving a contractor.
According to investigators, officers learned during the investigation that Kirchner allegedly approached individuals at local home improvement stores in December 2025 while claiming to be a contractor affiliated with those businesses.
Police said Kirchner is accused of accepting deposits for installation and other home improvement projects that investigators say were never completed.
Authorities reported that Kirchner was taken into custody and transported to the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office, where he is awaiting extradition back to Delaware.
Investigators said police believe there may be additional victims connected to the alleged scheme.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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