A Lansford man was charged by Tamaqua police with home improvement fraud and other offenses.

According to police, two Mauch Chunk Street residents told officers earlier this month that they wrote a $1,600 check to Joseph Gentile, 41, on May 31 for Gentile to replace windows on their home. He never did the work.

Police contacted Gentile who said the materials were on back order. He said he would pay the residents back by mid-November. Officers told Gentile that if he didn’t return the money by Nov. 15, he would face felony charges. Police also found that Gentile was illegally operating a construction business without registration.

He was charged with theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception, giving false statements to induce an agreement for home improvements and home improvement fraud.