Ocean View man faces home improvement fraud charge after never building Lewes pool

An Ocean View man faces charges after Lewes police say he took money to build a pool and fence but never did.

Police said Jeremy Bowden, 45, was paid by a Lewes resident to build a pool and fence and took a down payment of $16,450 for the job. The victim, however, never heard back from Bowden despite many attempts to contact him, police said.

Lewes police arrested Bowden June 28 and charged him with felony home improvement fraud over $1,500 due to the victim being more than 62 years old.

Police said Bowden currently operates Delmarva Landscape Solutions and Shoreline Escapes, and he has previously been arrested and charged with home improvement fraud eight separate times since 2017. One incident occurred in the City of Lewes. Lewes police urge all residents to complete thorough checks on any contractors hired and to never give large down payments without being certain that contracted work will be completed.