By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Andrew Jeffrey Kline

PIERCETON — A Wabash man was recently arrested for allegedly stealing over $4,000 from a man whom he agreed to complete home improvement work for.

Andrew Jeffrey Kline, 35, 5254 W. 100S, Wabash, is charged with theft, a level 6 felony.

On Aug. 14, 2022, a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office deputy met with a man regarding a home improvement fraud report.

According to court documents, the man said he entered an agreement with Kline on May 8, 2022. Kline agreed to install a new roof on a building in Pierceton, with the man writing a check for $4,500 to Kline.

Shortly after this payment was made, Kline requested additional payments in the amounts of $650 and $450, claiming material prices increased.

The man said Kline never performed any work on the building and many attempts were made to communicate with Kline, with no success.

On Oct. 6, 2022, a KCSO detective spoke with Kline while he was incarcerated in the Fulton County Jail. Kline said he was arrested on July 19, 2022, and could not complete the job. He told the detective he would be released on Oct. 31, 2022, and could either complete the job or give the money back. As of Dec. 1, 2022, Kline was still incarcerated and did not make any arrangements to refund the man his money.

Upon further investigation, the detective learned Kline had a history of taking money from individuals under the guise that he would perform home improvement services. At the time of this incident, Kline had a pending case in Wabash County for allegedly taking over $10,000 from individuals to perform home improvement work but not completing the job or returning their money.

Kline also has a prior conviction for theft in Wabash County, with Kline stealing over $4,000 through a home improvement agreement.

For the Kosciusko County case, Kline was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on May 24, 2023, with a $5,250 surety and cash bond.