Courts (Credit: MediaNews Group)
Victim said Edward C. Hill Jr., of North Wales Borough, never returned after removing shingles
A North Wales man had a felony charge of making false statements to secure a home-improvement agreement dismissed at a recent preliminary hearing, but heads to Montgomery County court for trial on a felony charge of receiving an advanced payment and failing to perform.
Edward C. Hill Jr., 37, of the 200 block of South Fourth Street, is accused of taking a $2,000 down payment for roof repairs from a 70-year-old homeowner, tearing shingles off her house, and then never returning to finish the work, according to a criminal complaint filed by North Wales Borough Police.
Police said the victim walked into the station on Sept. 26, 2025 to report that she hired Hill through a friend to repair her roof. According to the affidavit, Hill visited her North Wales home on Sept. 17 to evaluate the project and told her he would install new plywood and shingles.
The homeowner signed an agreement and wrote a check for about $2,000 to “Edward Hill Jr.,” stating it was payment for the shingles, plywood and materials needed for the job. The check was later cashed, police said.
Hill allegedly returned to the home unannounced on Sept. 19, removed the roof shingles, and left them piled in the backyard — but never came back to complete the work. According to police, the victim repeatedly tried to contact him, but Hill either did not respond or offered excuses.
The woman ultimately had to hire another contractor because her roof was left exposed, the complaint states.
Investigators attempted to contact Hill on Oct. 10 to obtain his version of events, but he did not respond, according to the affidavit.
A summons was requested for Hill to appear before Magisterial District Judge Suzan Leonard at a preliminary hearing Dec. 11. He was released on his own recognizance and will be arraigned in county court Jan. 14. He is represented by a public defender.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
