October 1, 2015-  Commonwealth v Terry Harner:  Terry L. Harner, 46, pleaded guilty Thursday, October 1, 2015, to 10 separate charges of theft by deception and deceptive business practices for cheating at least 10 people in Dauphin County with false claims that he would repair appliances.  The Hon. John F. Cherry sentenced him to a term of state incarceration for 1-2 years followed by three years of state probation supervision.

Harner’s scams fit a pattern:  he would respond to a homeowner’s call about a broken washer, refrigerator or other appliance, request a check to order a part, and then disappear.  The homeowners were left unable to contact Harner.  Harner victimized people across Dauphin County, including homeowners from Harrisburg, Susquehanna Township, Royalton Borough, Hummelstown, Hershey and Halifax.  One of Harner’s victims was a Lower Paxton police officer.

Deputy District Attorney David E. Wilson credited the Crimestoppers program and local media publicity with helping police identify additional victims.  Harner also faces charges in Cumberland County.

You can read more about Harner's scam here:

• http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/02/appliance_repair_scammer_appre.html 
• http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/03/appliance_repair_scam_arrest.html
• http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2014/07/harner_appliances_thefts_took.html
• https://dauphin.crimewatchpa.com/da/search/site/terry%20harner