Tipton

The owner and operator of Tipton Construction in Altoona was taken into custody Wednesday for allegedly committing a string of home improvement frauds.

John Bailey Tipton II, 44, was arraigned Thursday by Magisterial District Judge Benjamin F. Jones on seven felony counts of making a false statement to induce agreement for home improvement services, five felony counts of theft by deception – false impression, two felony counts of possession of a firearm prohibited, single felony counts of theft by unlawful taking – moveable property, theft by extortion, accessing a device issued to another, intimidating a witness/victim and corrupt organizations – control in enterprise. He also faces three misdemeanor counts of receiving advance payment for services and fails to perform, two misdemeanor counts of theft by unlawful taking – moveable property, single misdemeanor counts of obstructing the administration of law enforcement, possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The charges were brought following a monthslong joint investigation by Altoona, Allegheny Township and Hollidaysburg Borough police into Tipton, who was suspected of committing a “plethora of violations relating to defrauding clients of home improvement,” according to a post on the Altoona Police Department’s Facebook page.

Tipton, who owns and operates Tipton Construction in Altoona, allegedly took advanced payment on multiple contracts and did not complete the work. He also completed work “which required correction due to structural instability, stole a check from a customer, utilized a customer’s card for payment without their authorization and threatened a customer” when they told Tipton they would contact police, according to Altoona police.

Altoona, Allegheny Township and Hollidaysburg Borough police reported about five different cases of fraud that occurred throughout their jurisdictions. Officers estimated the total amount of money Tipton fraudulently received was more than $30,000, the post states.

A subsequent search warrant executed in relation to the fraud cases yielded two firearms and “multiple controlled substances,” the post states.

Tipton remains free after posting $100,000 bail. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing April 22 in front of Jones.