Suspect sought in building scam
State police are seeking a suspected con man accused of a deck-building scam.
Noah Proud, 42, of Pittsburgh is wanted on a felony arrest warrant in connection with the alleged scheme in March that targeted homeowners in the Wilsons Ridge housing plan in Forward Township.
Between March 6 and 15, state police said, Proud solicited four victims “to build decks on their homes.”
As part of his solicitation, according to court documents, Proud claimed to operate the business “Pittsburgh Custom Deck.”
He identified himself by his state contractor's license. The license, however, expired in August 2016, police said.
Proud prepared cost estimates that detailed the design and material costs for the four victims, and he requested down payments to buy the materials, police said. Collectively, police said, the homeowners gave him $7,675. “Proud never delivered materials to any of the victims,” according to a police affidavit, “nor did he begin work of any form.”
He subsequently stopped contacting the victims, police said, and refused to return their down payments.
Proud is charged with felony counts of deceptive or fraudulent business practices and theft by deception.
