Roofing Contractor Indicted for Stealing from Salem Clients

The owner of a Manchester-based roofing and siding firm faces charges for stealing thousands of dollars from three different Salem clients.

Roger L. Bernier, 48, of 5 Below Exteriors was indicted for theft by unauthorized taking or transfer in Rockingham Superior Court.

The indictment claims that Bernier took $7,450 for projects he never completed from three different clients between April 18, 2012, and June 1, 2012.

Bernier allegedly agreed to install a roof at one family's home and reseal their driveway on April 18, 2012, receiving a $3,200 deposit for this work. Bernier also received another $2,900 from that family between May 5 and May 7 of that year, but completed only "partial work" — roughly $3,400 worth — on the family's roof by May 7, according to the indictment.

No work was completed on the driveway, and the indictment claims Bernier "purposely failed to provide the promised services and purposely failed to return the $2,700 owed" to the family despite their requests.

The second incident involved a roof installation contract on April 20, 2012. Bernier was given a $2,000 deposit, although he allegedly never performed the work, never provided the materials to do so, and never returned the money paid to him for that installation, according to the indictment.

The third incident involved an April 20, 2012, contract for a local home's roof installation and the replacement of part of that home's siding. The indictment alleges Bernier received $5,400 in check installments between April 20, 2012, and June 1, 2012, but only completed roughly $2,650 worth of work on the home.

The indictment claims Bernier "purposely failed to provide the promised services and purposely failed to return the $2,750 owed" to this homeowner.

An indictment is not an indication of guilt or conviction; rather, it means a grand jury believed there was sufficient evidence to warrant a trial.

The New Hampshire Better Business Bureau has given 5 Below Exteriors an "F" grade due to two reported problems with service. The business is not BBB accredited.