Accusations grow against tree-trimmer who allegedly took money, skipped work

The criminal complaints are piling up for Jeramiah Cubarney.

There is a warrant for his arrest out of Cranberry Township, Butler County, alleging he was paid $320 but never delivered firewood.

Three criminal complaints filed late Tuesday in Middlesex Township claim he got hundreds, even thousands of dollars, up front to cut down trees but never delivered.

Robert Campbell, 74, of Middlesex Township showed Channel 11 what he paid for back in May: a tree trimming job that was never completed.

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“I thought he was a nice guy,” Campbell said. “He was agreeable.”

The “nice guy” is Cubarney, who is now behind bars in Allegheny County, accused of at least nine similar crimes.

Police are taking reports that he operated in Allegheny, Butler, Lawrence, and Armstrong counties using the same approach: he shows up with a contract, gets upfront money and never comes back to do the job.

After Channel 11 reported Cubarney’s arrest a week ago, it has become a multi-county criminal investigation.

“Since the story hit last week, we've had several individuals come to our police station and advise us they'd been scammed by this individual,” said Officer Bryan Costanzo of the Middlesex Township police.

With the suspect behind bars, Channel 11 looked up the company’s address to see if anyone wanted to talk. The address took us to an empty lot on Wildwood Road in Hampton Township.

Campbell had no idea how widespread these allegations were. He just wants his money back.

“Isn't that what we all want?” he said.

Cubarney's lawyer told Channel 11 last week when he was arraigned in Allegheny County that he has a drug problem, will go to a treatment program and will pay back every victim.

Officials say if you believe you were a victim to please come forward and call them.

Cox Media Group