Local contractor cashes check, leaves customer hanging on water heater replacement job

Old Lycoming Township, Pa. — A Williamsport contractor allegedly took $1,600 from a victim after claiming their water heater needed to be replaced.

Nathan Charles Cogley, 42, baulked on the job and blamed the customer for giving him the money and canceling the work, according to a complaint.

Cogley, an HVAC technician, met the victim on Sept. 24 to examine their water heater, Officer Michael Engel said. Cogley inspected the device and claimed it was leaking water and needed to be replaced. He looked the model up online and gave the victim a $1,600 quote for the replacement and job. Cogley allegedly left with a check from the victim, who was under the impression it would be used to purchase a new water heater.

Cogley sent the accuser messages claiming the water heater had to be delivered from State College. “They’ll have one here from State College tomorrow morning for me,” Cogley texted the victim.

At this point, the victim told police something didn’t feel right about the situation, Engel said. He had a second company inspect the water heater. They told him the water on the ground came from the foundation and the water heater was fine.

The homeowner contacted Cogley on Sept. 25, according to Engel’s report. He told Cogley he wanted to cancel the job, but that Cogley could keep $200 for the trouble. Engel said over the next three days Cogley lied to the victim to avoid meeting him.

On Sept. 29, the victim confronted Cogley over lying about the water heater and not refunding the money. “I can most certainly just keep it. There is no signed contract. I’m sure you’ll be fine either way,” Cogley allegedly told the victim via text message. Cogley also blamed the victim saying, “maybe next time don’t hand someone a $1,600 check and cancel doing the job.”

Cogley is being charged with deceptive business practices, false statements to induce agreement for home improvement services, receives advance payment for services and fails to perform them, theft by deception, and theft by unlawful taking. He is free on $15,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled with Judge William Solomon for next week.

Cogley is also being charged in Williamsport. Lycoming Regional Police discovered Cogley had active warrants for several counts of contempt for violation of order or agreement within the city.

Docket sheet