Coaldale police charged Samuel Leone, 32, of Reading, with home improvement fraud after he allegedly bilked a borough man out of $3,000.

Police said the man paid Leone $3,000 on June 10 to complete a bathroom remodeling job at his Early Avenue home. Leone did not show up to work on the day that he and the man had agreed upon.

The man asked Leone to do the work on July 20, but again, Leone did not show up, police said.

Leone was given several opportunities to return the money but refused to do so, according to police.

Police also charged Leone with theft by deception.

A preliminary hearing for Leone has been scheduled for 10 a.m. Aug. 27 before Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer in Tamaqua.