Jim Houser Mechancial Services Jim Houser Borrowed Ladder to do the job then took it with him! Annville, Pennsylvania

Jim Houser was contracted to install new roof shingles on my house.  He came out to review the scope of work, look over the job site and see what materials were on hand before giving me a quote.  After several weeks passed he called with a quote, which seemed reasonable.  He started the job within 2 weeks.

The first day on the job he asked if I had any tall ladders he could borrow.  I showed him what I had and he selected 2 to use for the duration of the job.  One small aluminum ladder and a larger (40 ft) fiberglass extension ladder. 

After several more weeks passed before the completion of what was originally supposed to be a job that would take several days he was finished.  I paid him before he dismantled all the ladders and his other materials and had to leave the house.  Upon my return I noticed that the larger fiberglass ladder was missing. 

I questioned Jim about the missing ladder.  He said he would return it when he came back for another project.  The quote for the additional project was out of the budget so he did not come back.  I questioned Jim again about the ladder and he said that he left it in the barn.  Again, after another search the missing ladder is no where on the property. 

After another month I again questioned Jim about when he was going to return the ladder.  His story changed again.  Now he is stating that the fiberglass ladder was his, he purchased it from Lowe's and has a receipt. 

Apparently Mr. Houser does not feel that a single woman is fully aware of what items that are in her possession or is not capable of remembering events as they really occur.   Does he honestly think that the ladder that I helped him to retrieve from our barn and had to crawl around for 6 weeks (because it took him that long to finish a small roofing job) would all of a sudden become his???? 

The replacement cost of this ladder is close to $300.  So, Mr. Houser is it really worth your reputation to lie and say the ladder you stole is worth tarnishing your reputation over?