Originally Labeled A Civil Matter, Recent Accusations Lead To Criminal Charges Against Convicted Scammer With History Of Home Improvement Complaints; Suspect Pinched For Theft From Person In Protected Class After Allegedly Fleecing Three Elderly Homeowners Out Of Over $25K For Roofing Work, Then Failing To Either Perform Promised Services Or Reimburse Victims

In Stark County, Ohio, The Press-News reports:

• An Alliance man said that he was completely unaware of William W. Dinger's track record when he hired him to put a roof on his home.
  
  The unnamed man was one of three victims whom Alliance police said that Dinger, 60, of Canton, allegedly took for in excess of $25,000 since April, resulting in officers charging him with three counts of theft from a person in a protected class,(1) one third-degree felony and two fourth-degree felonies.
  
  Dinger had two previous felony convictions on similar charges in 2009 and 2012.
  
  City police Lt. Bill Morris has no doubt that there are probably more victims out there.
  
  Dinger already was in Stark County Jail [] on a charge of grand theft, which appeared to be a direct indictment, when Alliance delivered their three warrants -- one stemming from his failure to deliver $12,000 in roof work for three properties in the area of State Street and Watson Avenue as well as roof work of approximately $8,000 and $6,800 to two victims.
  
  Morris said that clients had paid for the materials back in late April and filed the reports with police after Dinger failed to deliver.
  
  Originally labeled a civil matter, Morris said officials gave Dinger until Aug. 1 to either reimburse the clients or finish the jobs. He did neither, so Alliance Law Director Jennifer Arnold approved the charges.
  
  ***
  Dinger reeled in his victims, who felt sorry for the seemingly nice guy with a large family and numerous exes who was just trying to make ends meet. "He sure was a real good talker," the unnamed victim concluded.
  
  Anyone else who may have information about Dinger or who may have been one of his victims is asked to call Morris at the Alliance Police Department at 330-821-9140 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekdays.
  
  If convicted of these latest charges, Dinger faces up to nine and a half years in prison and $25,000 in fines plus imposition of any suspended prison time [from previous convictions].

Source: Canton contractor in jail charged with theft from elderly.

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(1) Under Ohio law, theft from a person in a protected class applies to a theft from an elderly person, disabled adult, active duty service member, or spouse of an active duty service member. Section 2913.02(B)(3), Ohio Revised Code.