Detectives from the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office have charged Robert Joseph Deharder, 70, formerly of Montandon, for his role in defrauding an elderly couple out of their money by failing to install a metal roof onto their Jackson Township residence.

The agreement was reached for the couple to put down a $20,000 deposit for the roof’s installation, which was subsequently collected by Deharder. In the midst of the investigation, it was discovered Deharder fled the Commonwealth to parts unknown.

With the assistance of the Pennsylvania State Police Fugitive Apprehension Unit and the United States Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, Deharder was recently apprehended in Florida using a fraudulent identity.

Deharder will be extradited from Florida and faces the following felonies charged by detectives: deceptive business practices, home improvement fraud, theft by deception and receiving stolen property. Deharder will appear before Magisterial District Judge Daniel Kresge for his preliminary hearing at a later date.

For more information, contact Det. Mario Orlando at 570-517-3874.