WILMINGTON, DE — New Castle County police are searching for a Maryland man they allege is connected to a string of home improvement frauds that left multiple residents in a Pepper Ridge townhouse community without completed work and without their money.
The New Castle County Division of Police said officers responded on January 14, 2026, to several addresses along South Tupelo Turn in the Pepper Ridge Townhouse development as part of an ongoing investigation into suspected contractor fraud. During that investigation, police identified 58-year-old Richard Kirchner of Elkton, Maryland, as a person of interest.
Investigators allege Kirchner approached customers inside local home improvement stores in December 2025, presenting himself as a contractor affiliated with those businesses. Police say he is accused of accepting deposits for installation jobs and other home improvement projects that were never completed.
Authorities believe there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward and are urging anyone with relevant information to contact law enforcement.
S/Cpl. Rodney Stearne is leading the investigation and can be reached by email at Rodney.Stearne@newcastlede.gov or by calling the New Castle County Police non-emergency number at 302-573-2800. Anyone who believes Kirchner is in immediate proximity is asked to call 911.
All allegations against Kirchner remain under investigation, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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