Washington Police arrest home-inspections scam suspects | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Washington Police have arrested three men in connection to home improvement scams. Thursday, police responded to the Mac'swood area of Washington after a man falsely claiming to be a fireman performing home inspections for mold went to a house and convinced the owner to allow him inside to test for mold. The suspect performed some alleged tests and informed the owner that repairs needed to be made and he could do it for a fee.

    The suspects were operating a red Dodge pickup with a temporary Virginia registration plate, an aluminum ladder rack and tools in the back. They may have been operating other vehicles, as well.

    The investigation led to charges on one suspect for a similar scam, occurring over the past few weeks, where a Washington resident was tricked out of thousands of dollars before friends contacted authorities.

    Suspects arrested thus far are:

    Edward Lee Champ Jr., age 41, of Roper, was charged with felony obtaining property by false pretenses, attempting to obtain property by false pretenses, and felony conspiracy and was placed in jail with a $35,000 bond.

    Anthony Lee Champ, aka Anthony Lee Tincher, age 24, of Romney, W.V., was charged with felony attempting to obtain property by false pretenses and felony conspiracy and was placed in jail on a $3,500 bond.

    Danny Stanley Champ, age 20, of Roper, was charged with felony attempting to obtain property by false pretenses and felony conspiracy and was placed in jail on a $15,000 bond.

All three suspects have been released after posting bond, but have first appearances scheduled for today.

    If anyone has recently had a home inspection for mold, without request, by people claiming they can make the repairs or other unsolicited home improvement offers, please don't be afraid or embarrassed to contact your local authorities for investigation. There are believed to be other victims, and the investigation is ongoing. Additional charges are pending the outcome of the investigations.