Home Fraudster Busted By Joliet Police: Complaint

JOLIET, IL - Home repair fraud cases in Joliet are rare because the overwhelming majority of contractors who perform the work are reputable. But on Thursday, Joliet Police detectives slapped the handcuffs on Justin Barr, a 39-year-old resident of Lexington, IL. Barr faces a dozen felonies accusing him of home repair fraud and theft. He is charged with bilking two different Joliet victims out of thousands of dollars, the criminal complaints reflect.

The home repair crimes in the city of Joliet occurred between March, 2017 and Aug. 31, 2018, the criminal complaint states. In one of the crimes, "defendant knowingly entered into an unconscionable contract in the amount of $59,400 with (victim) for the materials for constructing a pole barn, located at 11273 Arbeiter Road," court documents filed Friday reflect.

In another case, Barr was charged with numerous counts of felony theft. That crime occurred between March 1-18, 2017, court documents state and involved a different Joliet victim.

"Said defendant knowingly entered into a written contract in the amount of $20,106.34 with (victim) for the construction of a pole barn located at 14830 West Bruns Road and in doing so knowingly used false promises … when Justin Barr was asked 'What happens if I am unable to get a permit?' Justin Barr responded 'If that does occur, a simple refund would be issued minus 20 percent' to educe (victim) to enter into said contract," court documents show.

Regarding the home repair fraud charge from West Bruns Road, the Joliet Police Department's criminal complaint states that Barr "would construct a pole barn on (victim's) property which the defendant did not intend to perform."

Joliet Detective Jeff German obtained the Will County bench warrant authorizing Barr's felony arrest this week. The warrant indicates that Barr lives on Mackinaw Road in Lexington, which is a small town about 100 miles south of Joliet. The warrant states that Barr's place of employment is Construction-Post Frame Solutions.

One of the home repair fraud charges involving the case on Arbeiter Road states that Barr entered into a written contract on June 12, 2017 with his victim in the amount of $68,500 "and in doing so knowingly used false promises, to wit: he would begin construction by September and it would take 7-10 days to complete the construction, to induce (the victim) to enter into said contract, which the defendant did not intend to perform."

If the Will County State's Attorney's Office aggressively prosecutes Barr and pushes for the maximum possible prison terms, Barr may be spending several years in prison, if he gets convicted by Will County's judicial system.

In the case from Arbeiter Road, Barr faces the following charges:

1. Theft, Class 2 Felony, between June 1, 2017 to Aug. 31, 2018.

2. Theft, Class 2 Felony, between June 16, 2017 and June 23, 2017.

3. Home Repair Fraud, Class 3 Felony, between June 1, 2017 and Aug. 31, 2018

4. Home Repair Fraud, Class 3 Felony, between June 1, 2017 and Aug. 31, 2018.

5. Theft, Class 3 Felony, between Feb. 5, 2018 and Feb. 12, 2018.

6. Home Repair Fraud, Class 4 Felony, between June 1, 2017 and Aug. 31, 2018.

7. Home Repair Fraud, Class 4 Felony, between June 1, 2017 and Aug. 31, 2018.

8. Home Repair Fraud, Class 4 Felony, between June 1, 2017 and Aug. 31, 2018.

9. Home Repair Fraud, Class 4 Felony, on June 12, 2017.

In the case from West Bruns Road, Barr is charged with:

1. Theft, Class 3 Felony, between March 1, 2017 and Oct. 2, 2017

2. Home Repair Fraud, Class 4 felony, between March 1, 2017 and March 18, 2017

3. Home Repair Fraud, Class 4 Felony, between March 1, 2017 and Oct. 2, 2017.

Because Barr has separate criminal complaints filed at the courthouse, his total bail amount stands at $370,000. He needs to come up with $37,000 cash to post as bond. He was taken into Will County's Jail around 11 a.m. on Thursday.

He remained in the jail on Friday evening.

Mugshot of Justin Barr via Will County Sheriff