ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind.— A South Bend man was arrested on May 7 for alleged home improvement fraud involving a couple in their 60s, according to the probable cause affidavit. 

In September 2019, a 68-year-old man and his 67-year-old wife signed a contract with Glenn Ford, who was hired to replace the couple’s roof on their St. Joseph County home, court documents said.

The agreed upon price for the total roof replacement was $14,762 and upon signing the contract, the couple paid Ford a $9,750 deposit, according to the probable cause affidavit. 

On November 5, the couple paid Ford an additional $500 in cash, bringing the total paid by the couple to Ford to $10,250, reports said.

Per the agreement, Ford was to begin work on the roof on October 10, 2019 but work did not begin until October 12 and it was never completed, court documents said.

The couple noticed what they said to be poor workmanship that led to damage inside of their home over about a month-long period.

According to court documents, the couple then learned that Ford’s business, Glenn Ford Contracting, was not licensed, bonded, or insured, which, according to them, had been indicated on Ford’s business card. 

The couple also found out that Ford had not obtained a building permit for the project, court documents said.

According to the probable cause affidavit, the couple ended their contract with Ford, who then threatened to sue them and place a lien on the home.

A detective spoke with Ford regarding the allegations and Ford reportedly said that heavy rain in October and November caused the repair delay and two of his workers had quit, court documents said.

Ford also told the detective that his bond and license had lapsed and he did not get a building permit because he said “most contractors don’t” to save money, court documents said. 

A warrant for Ford’s arrest was issued in January 2020 and Ford was arrested and booked into the St. Joseph County Jail on May 7 on suspicion of home improvement fraud. He is being held without bond. 

According to jail records, Ford was also booked into the jail on suspicion of child molesting involving a child under age 14 in a separate case, but no formal charges had been filed as of Friday afternoon.