ALTOONA, PA — The owner of a local construction company faces multiple charges after allegedly defrauding customers out of more than $30,000 in a months-long home improvement scheme.
John B. Tipton II, owner and operator of Tipton Construction in Altoona, was charged April 8 following a joint investigation by the Altoona Police Department, Allegheny Township Police Department and Hollidaysburg Borough Police Department.
Police allege Tipton took advance payments on multiple contracts he failed to complete and performed work that required correction due to structural instability.
Investigators say Tipton also stole a check from a customer, used a customer’s card for payment without authorization and threatened a customer who said they would contact police.
The alleged fraud occurred in five separate instances across Altoona, Allegheny Township and Hollidaysburg Borough.
During a search warrant execution related to the fraud cases, police found two guns and multiple controlled substances.
Tipton faces charges including corrupt organizations, persons not to possess firearms, home improvement fraud, access device fraud, theft by unlawful taking, intimidation of victim, theft by extortion, theft by deception, obstruction, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He was arraigned April 9 and bail was set at $100,000 straight cash.
Tipton was remanded to Blair County Prison and later posted bail.
