Delaware State Police have arrested a 50-year-old Berlin, Md., man for two fraudulent related thefts, in which he is accused of stealing $18,000 from two people.
On Jan. 15, a 52-year-old Glen Burnie, Md., woman contacted authorities and informed them of a fraudulent contract she entered with Jeffrey S. Pickard, who owns Haus of Trikes on U.S. 113, in Selbyville. The woman informed police she wanted a Honda Motorcycle converted into a three-wheeler and agreed to have Pickard complete the work.
In July of ’08, she entered into a contract with the business and paid Pickard a required $9,000 deposit. The victim was told it would take approximately 6 to 8 weeks for a conversion kit to arrive and then the work would begin. After several months of no progress being made, the victim attempted to contact Pickard with negative results. She later learned Pickard did not do any of the required work and used the money for other purposes.
A second victim, a 65-year-old Wyoming resident, also contacted police in December ’08 to report he too was victimized by Pickard. In August of ’08, this man paid Pickard a $9,000 deposit to have a conversion kit ordered for his motorcycle. He was told it would take 8-10 weeks for the order to arrive and then the work would begin. After several failed attempts to contact Pickard by telephone he responded to the business and learned Pickard had spent his money to pay some of his personal bills.
Additionally, detectives learned Pickard used some of the stolen money to pay various business expenses. Detectives believe there could be additional victims who have not reported anything to police and are asking if anyone has been defrauded by Pickard to contact detectives at Troop 4 at 302.856.5850 ext 227.
He voluntarily surrendered to police at Troop 4 on Feb. 17 and was formally charged with two felony thefts. He was released on a $5,000 unsecured bail.
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Delaware State Police have arrested a 50-year-old Berlin, Md., man for two fraudulent related thefts, in which he is accused of stealing $18,000 from two people.
On Jan. 15, a 52-year-old Glen Burnie, Md., woman contacted authorities and informed them of a fraudulent contract she entered with Jeffrey S. Pickard, who owns Haus of Trikes on U.S. 113, in Selbyville. The woman informed police she wanted a Honda Motorcycle converted into a three-wheeler and agreed to have Pickard complete the work.
In July of ’08, she entered into a contract with the business and paid Pickard a required $9,000 deposit. The victim was told it would take approximately 6 to 8 weeks for a conversion kit to arrive and then the work would begin. After several months of no progress being made, the victim attempted to contact Pickard with negative results. She later learned Pickard did not do any of the required work and used the money for other purposes.
A second victim, a 65-year-old Wyoming resident, also contacted police in December ’08 to report he too was victimized by Pickard. In August of ’08, this man paid Pickard a $9,000 deposit to have a conversion kit ordered for his motorcycle. He was told it would take 8-10 weeks for the order to arrive and then the work would begin. After several failed attempts to contact Pickard by telephone he responded to the business and learned Pickard had spent his money to pay some of his personal bills.
Additionally, detectives learned Pickard used some of the stolen money to pay various business expenses. Detectives believe there could be additional victims who have not reported anything to police and are asking if anyone has been defrauded by Pickard to contact detectives at Troop 4 at 302.856.5850 ext 227.
He voluntarily surrendered to police at Troop 4 on Feb. 17 and was formally charged with two felony thefts. He was released on a $5,000 unsecured bail.
