Hometown Appliance Owner Arrested On Felony Traffic Stop Monday
MERRILLVILLE
Just after 7pm Monday, Lake County Sheriff’s Officers executed a felony traffic stop in the area of 82nd Ave & Mississippi Street in Merrillville on a white pick up truck with a snow plow attached.
The driver now identified as Erik Schneider, 41, of Lowell. Schneider, who is the owner of Hometown Appliance in St. John was taken into custody on 10 outstanding Level 6 Felony Warrants and 1 Criminal Misdemeanor Warrant.
The warrants stem from a long investigation of thefts and undelivered appliances from his business.
10 Felony counts of Theft of Property $750-50k
1 Misdemeanor count of Conversion
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So much for this phony Christian business. He’s a liar, cheater and deceitful owner. Don’t drop the soap big guy!
The scumbag got 8000.00 dollars from me Appliances I ordered for my house that was being rebuilt after the fire never delivered the appliances after numerous call asked for my money back so I could get them somewhere else he signed paperwork saying he would give my money its been 3 months I had to get a loan to purchase the appliances I am 81 and on s.s. don’t have extra money any one have any advice on how to try to get my money back I would appreciate thank you lucy
Lucy that’s terrible, try calling lake county and ask if his company is bonded, that is what a bond is for, or at least it us for contractors, contractors have to have a five thousand dollar bond, so if he is bonded you could get back five thousand dollars, it comes from his insurance and then they will send him a bill. I hope this helps.
Lucy, make sure the Lake County Sheriff’s office knows of your complaint.
Ma’am you will have to take him to court. For that amount I believe it will land in Lake County court house in crown Point
Lucy, did you pay cash or credit? We bought 3 appliances in April of 2018 and never saw them. After about a month of stories, lies and tears from him we demanded our money back. Got a check the next day and went straight to his bank where it bounced. I called my credit card right away and filed a dispute. My credit card gave me the money back and went after him.
Lucy and anyone else that thinks you’ll get your money back through a small claims/civil judgement, think again. An individual who has a civil judgment against him/her can file bankruptcy and wipe that judgement away. An individual who is ordered to pay criminal restitution can not file bankruptcy to eliminate the debt. Get the word out, everyone who has been deceived and had control of their money taken away from them, needs to file a police report for theft. When you give a large amount of money for goods and you don’t receive the goods or a refund, that’s just like someone stealing your car, not knowing where it is or if you’ll ever get it back. No matter what way you look at it, deprivation of a persons money or property is theft.
Did you by any chance use a credit or debit card? The bank may refund your money. Does anyone know how I can possibly get back my dishwasher rack that he took to order a part for? He kept promising to return it and never did. Now the store is empty.
Gisele, if there were any items in his store, it was probably all tagged as evidence. Do not know what they would do with that evidence, but I think it would be far easier to just find an appliance carrier of that rack, contact your homeowners insurance & see if the cost for the rack may be covered under theft in your policy. Just a thought
I brought a knob there to be replaced for my washer. He took it and I never saw it again and also never got the part. It’s a small thing but nonetheless it is not right whether ot is a big or small amount. He is going to have a lot to answer for when he meets his maker.
You need an attorney. Or, your homeowner’s insurance might help with a claim.
good luck with that he most likey snorted it up his nose.
Sooooo! How does one know if the appliances we purchased from him,were stolen or not?Boy,he sure had me fooled.
I have bought many things from him. I find him to be a very honest man and I don’t believe any of this can’t wait till they reopen.
Consider yourself one of the lucky ones then. He ripped off a lot of people and almost got us too, luckily we paid with a card so we were able to dispute it and recover our money but many are out thousands of dollars so NO, this is not an honest man. And I doubt he will be reopening nor should he, the store is completely empty. He also owes the state for unpaid taxes. Again, this is not an honest man!!!!
You are kidding, right? You think over 35 complaints not just for bad service but taking our money and never delivering appliances are wrong? Just giving excuses and lies! You really have been hoodwinked.
Wow. I wish I had known about this before. I did buy an oven from him. It wasn’t delivered when he said it would be but when I called he gave me another delivery date. Got the oven and all was fine. I did pay with a card.
Mike, you are clearly delusional. Do you think all of these charges are fictional?
Can’t reopen if he is in jail!
Putting up Christian signs doesn’t make him a Christian.
I ordered a freezer and never received it. He told me he credited my credit card but it has never gone through. I’m trying to work with my credit card to have it credited seeing I never got it and I was also charged a delivery fee. I was calling all the time and all the time and I always got the run around. I just want my money back
Wow Mike! Really??
I bought over 5,000.00 in appliances from him without any issues in 2017. When I had a problem with my stove they came out fixed it without any issues stood behind their warranty.
I knew it! Did business with them and just had a feeling these guys weren’t trustworthy. I said I would never go back again. I guess all the photos of Jesus on the walls and the Scriptures on the sign out in front was just a cover Up.
One great experience in 2017 trumps everything!
Exactly! Does anyone know if he bonded out?
Go to mycase.IN.gov and enter his name and everything is available by public record. Yes, he is bonded out. Saw him driving in his Hometown Appliance delivery truck on route 41 yesterday. His bond was reduced significantly.
City Councilman Opinker was arrested in a traffic stop, for driving under the influence…..
This man is a pathological liar ! He cashed our $8000 check two days after the date and never ordered our appliances ! He gave excuse after excuse ! What makes me sick he takes people’s money and lies ! Religion on his business’s is a cover up ! Those who truly believe don’t have to advertise it !!! He deserves punishment to the fullest and what ever medical excuse or poor me excuse is NO EXCUSE !
If you haven’t already, make sure you file a police report either with the Lake County Sherriffs Office or St. John Police department.