Barnes County man charged with construction theft

ORISKA, N.D. (KVRR-KFGO) – A Barnes County man is facing charges for accepting payment but failing to do work on construction projects.

Tyler Vance is charged with felony construction fraud and misdemeanor contracting without a license.

According to court documents, in December 2024 Vance agreed to do construction work on a home in Oriska. The homeowner said Vance would provide a written contract by March 2025, but never did.

Investigators viewed screenshots of conversations between Vance and the homeowner and say he requested payment for equipment and supplies.

Records show the homeowner paid Vance $19,800 through Venmo but he didn’t complete the work and has not paid her back.

Investigators say Vance is currently on probation for construction fraud from a case in Dickey County. He also had a warrant for his arrest for a construction fraud case out of Valley City.

Vance is in the Barnes County Jail with an initial court appearance scheduled for Jan. 16.