Owner Of Union County Chimney Service Company Admits To Theft By Deception

The owner of a Rahway-based chimney service company has admitted to stealing from two different clients by accepting large deposits but then failing to perform any work, acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park announced Monday. 

Appearing before state Superior Court Judge Stuart Peim, 48-year-old Rodney MacQuirk of Sweepers Chimney Service pleaded guilty early Monday to a single count of third-degree theft by deception. MacQuirk also agreed to pay more than $1,000 in combined restitution to the two victims, who are residents of Union and Monmouth counties, respectively.

An investigation by Union County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Rudy Correia of the Special Prosecutions Unit revealed that MacQuirk took deposits of $750 and $500 from the victims last year before failing to respond to requests that work be completed. 

It was at least the third such offense committed by MacQuirk during the past several years – he was on probation for a 2011 conviction on a charge of theft by deception last October, when he was arrested twice during the course of a week on separate offenses.

Third-degree offenses typically carry sentences of three to five years in state prison. Sentencing in the case is scheduled for July 25.