Willow Grove Couple Posed As Contractors, Defrauded Residents: Police

WILLOW GROVE, PA — A Montgomery County couple accepted large amounts of money from local residents who had paid for their work as contractors but then never completed the work, police said.

Joseph Collins and Lindsey Collins, both of Willow Grove, have been charged with home improvement fraud, theft, deceptive or fraudulent business practices, and related counts.

An investigation began in September after two separate residents in Tredyffrin Township filed complaints about the advance payments they had made, according to authorities.

Both residents said they had sent money to the company the Collinses had set up, Freedom Fence LLC based in Norristown, for various home improvement services and materials, police said. However, no work was ever completed.

"This investigation revealed an ongoing pattern of allegedly deceptive and fraudulent business practices conducted by Joseph and Lindsey Collins," Tredyffrin police said.

Both suspects surrendered to Tredyffrin police on Oct. 9.

They were released on $50,000 bail. Preliminary hearings are scheduled for Nov. 20.

Police said they believe there are additional victims in the region. If you have any information, contact Detective Mike Cermignano at 610-408-3651 or mcermignano@tredyffrin.org.