EAST ALTON – Felony charges have been filed against an East Alton man accused of stealing thousands of dollars from victims who hired him to build various pool projects at their homes across the Riverbend.
Chad A. Phillips, 30, of East Alton, was charged on May 11, 2026 with three Class 4 felony counts of home repair fraud, two Class 2 felony counts of theft over, and a Class 3 felony count of theft over $500.
From July 23, 2022 to Oct. 1, 2024, Phillips allegedly entered into an agreement for $91,000 to perform the construction and installation of a pool, fencing, and landscaping at the victim’s home in Brighton. Phillips is accused of promising to perform work which he did not intend to perform and stealing $29,423 from the same victim.
On a second occasion, from June 26, 2023, to May 24, 2024, Phillips allegedly entered into an $85,000 agreement with two other victims, in which he promised to build and install a pool and concrete decking at their Collinsville residence while knowing he did not intend to perform the work. He is additionally accused of stealing $12,750 from the same victims.
In the third instance cited in this case, Phillips reportedly entered into another agreement in the amount of $65,000 to construct and install a pool at the victim’s East Alton residence from March 1, 2024, to July 1, 2025. He allegedly stole $9,268 from the same victim after promising to perform the work, which he did not intend to perform.
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office presented the case against Phillips, who was ordered released from custody pending trial.
All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
