KIRKLAND, NY — A contractor was arrested following an investigation into a grand larceny complaint, according to Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol.
Deputies were dispatched to an address in the Town of Kirkland on Jan. 8, 2026, for a larceny complaint.
Through their investigation, deputies learned the victim had paid a contractor $3,779.06 on Nov. 17, 2023, to purchase materials and complete work on their residence.
The victim requested their money back prior to any materials being purchased or work being completed, as they no longer wished to use the contractor.
Following this request, the money was never returned and no work had been completed.
The investigation was turned over to members of the Oneida County Criminal Investigations Unit.
Investigators later located the contractor, Robert Yates Jr., 64, of Stockbridge, and charged him with one count of grand larceny in the third degree, a class D felony, pursuant to section 155.35(1) of the New York State Penal Law.
Yates was escorted to the Oneida County Correctional Facility to await CAP Court.
Following Yates’ arraignment, he was remanded to the Oneida County Correctional Facility.
