Maryland man awaits extradition on home improvement fraud
A Maryland man faces home improvement fraud charges in connection with a job in Ocean View that police say he never completed.
Michael Tyler Joseph, 32, of Fruitland, Md., is in custody in Maryland awaiting extradition to Delaware in connection with defrauding a family of more than $23,000, said Sr. Cpl. Leonard DeMalto of the Delaware State Police.
DeMalto said the Ocean View family contacted police Jan. 6 over a home addition contract with Joseph, owner of Elite Hardscapes LLC, that he began in January 2022 but never finished. The $23,000 paid to Joseph over the course of a year was never reimbursed, DeMalto said.
There is currently an active felony warrant for home improvement fraud for Joseph, who may have used other company names in addition to Elite Hardscapes LLC, DeMalto said. The warrant will be executed when he is extradited to Delaware. The Delaware State Police Troop 4 Financial Crimes Unit continues to investigate similar cases involving Joseph. Detectives ask anyone who may have been defrauded in a similar manner to contact the Financial Crimes Unit at 302-856-5850. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
