Door To Door Contractors Bilk Bloomfield Woman Out Of $125K: Police

BLOOMFIELD, NJ -- Two "door to door contractors" allegedly scammed a woman out of more than $125,000 in Bloomfield, police said.

The Bloomfield Police Department released the following statement on Friday:

"On September 15, the Bloomfield Police Department responded to a report of a woman being defrauded by a door to door contractor. On August 20, the victim hired Anthony Doherty and Patrick O’Doherty to repair two sets of concrete steps for $3,800 which was paid in full in advance. Once the demolition began on the steps, Mr. Doherty and Mr. O’Doherty repeatedly added repairs which were not needed to the residence. The victim explained that Mr. Doherty and Mr. O’Doherty would sporadically arrive at the residence, usually in the late afternoon hours, perform more demolition work, ask for more money and leave with nothing ever being repaired. Mr. Doherty and Mr. O’Doherty defrauded the victim out of $125,600."

The Bloomfield Police Detective Bureau then launched an investigation into the contractors' activities. On Sept. 20, Bloomfield police were called by the victim, who told them that Doherty and O’Doherty had returned.

After a brief interaction with detectives, Doherty and O’Doherty were taken into custody and charged with second-degree theft by deception.

The investigation is active and on going, police said.

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