3 Men Accused In Connection With Arlington Home Improvement Scam

ARLINGTON, MA — Three Boston-area men appeared in court last week after their arrest in connection with an alleged home improvement scam in Arlington, police said.

Arlington police said they arrested Peter Gilheney, 21 of Quincy; Richard Gilheney, 18, of Randolph and Patrick Gilheney 18, of Quincy on Friday.

Police said they began investigating after an elderly Arlington resident reported on Jan. 10 that three men charged him “an excessive amount of money” for home improvement work. Police said the resident reported the trio also damaged his property.

An attorney representing Peter Gilheney declined to comment on the case involving his client when contacted on Tuesday. Patch has separately reached out to an attorney for Patrick Gilheney and will update with any response. Information on Richard Gilheney’s attorney was not listed in online court records as of Tuesday morning.

Police said the scam in this case is a common one often targeting senior citizens.

“The targeted homes are typically in need of legitimate repairs,” police said. “However, the suspect will often quote a very small price for a minor job and then damage a chimney, front steps, retaining wall, roof or another part of the home, without permission from the homeowner.”

Police said scammers will then quote a higher price and convince a victim to pay a large amount of money upfront with the promise that they will complete the work. Scammers subsequently take the payment and never return to complete the work, according to police.

In Arlington this month, police said the victim reported the men quoted him $200 to fix a crack in his front steps.

They then returned, according to police, at which point they “ripped out” the front steps without permission and delivered a new quote of $6,000 for repairs.

Police said the victim wrote a check for part of the $6,000 sum.

Though the victim later tried to get his check back, police said he was unsuccessful.

Arlington police said detectives contacted the three suspects in this case on Jan. 13 posing as potential customers. Police said they arrested the men after they arrived at a predetermined meeting location and were positively identified.

The three were charged with a series of charges including malicious destruction of property, more than $1,200 and larceny by false pretenses, over $250.

All three men were arraigned in Cambridge District Court on Friday and were released on personal recognizance.