Contractor Arrested After Taking $6,700 Payment Then Failing to Provide Services

Keith Heffintrayer | North Penn Now•

An Upper Darby-based contractor has been arrested after receiving an advanced payment in excess of $6,700 from an apartment complex in Perkasie Borough then failing to start the project.

Perkasie Police were contacted on Nov. 21, 2023 by the manager of a local apartment complex, who claimed they had Paul Cwikla, 60, of Philadelphia, to install several wall heating and cooling units throughout the complex. The signed contract indicated the work was set to begin on Oct. 4, 2023, and the manager said they had provided an advanced payment of $6,730, but the work never began, according to the criminal complaint.

The manager provided investigators with text correspondence showing Cwikla repeatedly promising to complete the work, providing excuses for the work being incomplete, and offering a refund, however the work was still left incomplete, and a refund was never issued, police said. Investigators were also provided with copies of online reviews which allege similar complaints dating back several years.

Police contacted Cwikla several times, stating he admitted to accepting the money and failing to provide the services, according to the complaint. Despite their efforts to secure a refund, including multiple warnings that criminal charges would be pending, police said Cwikla failed to return the money.

As a result of the investigation, Cwikla was arrested on Jan. 22 and arraigned on felony charges of theft by deception and deceptive business practices. He was released from custody on $100,000 unsecured bail following his arraignment.

Cwikla is currently awaiting his preliminary hearing, which will be held later this month in front of Magisterial District Judge Regina Armitage.

All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.