Dover, Delaware – A Dover man is facing felony charges after Delaware State Police say he allegedly took tens of thousands of dollars for home improvement work that was never completed, leaving an elderly homeowner without reimbursement.
According to Delaware State Police, troopers began investigating Stephen Kurtz, 59, in November 2025 following a complaint involving a homeowner in Rehoboth Beach, Sussex County, part of the Salisbury–Ocean City metro region. Investigators allege Kurtz entered into a home improvement contract with a 64-year-old man in February 2025, accepted payments totaling more than $38,000, and failed to complete the agreed-upon construction work.
Police say the victim was never reimbursed for the unfinished work. As a result of the investigation, authorities obtained an arrest warrant for Kurtz.
On Wednesday, January 7, Kurtz was taken into custody and charged with multiple felony offenses. According to police, he was later arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on a $10,000 unsecured bond.
The charges include:
- Home Improvement Fraud by False Pretense, $1,500 or greater, with a victim 62 years of age or older (Felony)
- Theft, $1,500 or greater, with a victim 62 years of age or older (Felony)
State police emphasize that all charges are allegations, and Kurtz is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Investigators believe there may be additional victims and are urging anyone who may have been defrauded by Kurtz in a similar manner to contact Troop 4 Financial Crimes at 302-856-5850. Tips can also be submitted via private message to the Delaware State Police Facebook page or anonymously through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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