Accused in home improvement fraud case, same contractor now facing stalking charges for harassing victim | Local News

BENNINGTON — A Bennington man already accused in a home improvement fraud case in July was arraigned Monday on new charges of stalking the fraud victim in the home improvement case.

Eric J. Ware, 33, of Bennington, was arraigned Monday on stalking and disorderly conduct charges stemming from a dispute with the victim in his home improvement case. Ware faces a possible five-year sentence if he’s convicted on both counts. He also faces an additional three years behind bars if convicted on the home improvement charge filed in July.

According to a police affidavit in the stalking charge, police received a phone call from the victim back in February, reporting that Ware allegedly drove toward him, stopped in the middle of the road, got out of his truck, cursed, and then threatened to beat him up. The next day, Ware allegedly drove his car toward the victim and his minor son, who was driving when Ware allegedly swerved into their lane of travel and then backed off. The victim later requested and was granted a stalking RFA order against Ware in March 2024.

An affidavit in the home improvement case alleges that the same victim who was being stalked was ripped off for over $6,000 in a home improvement fraud involving Ware months before he allegedly stalked him and was ordered to stay away. The homeowner and his wife contacted police to report that Ware was hired in March 2023 to replace their roof with a charcoal-colored metal roof. The job was to cost $9,900 for material and labor. The owners gave Ware a check for $6,000 as a deposit for the promised work.

Sometime in May 2023, a metal roof of a different color arrived at the residence. Ware allegedly told the homeowners the roof was not what he ordered for them. Days later, after BROC Community Action granted the homeowners a new roof, the owners terminated the contract and asked for their money back. They never received the funds back. Ware, according to the police report, was granted the opportunity to show police a receipt for the cost of the materials. That opportunity was unfulfilled.

Ware has a criminal history in Vermont. He was charged back in 2015 with 35 felony counts of forgery and one count of identity theft. Ware pleaded guilty in 2016 to two forgery charges. It is unclear from court records what Ware was sentenced to in that case.

Small claims records show a similar complaint against Ware in June. In that case, the plaintiff allegedly hired Ware to replace a roof on an apartment building on Church Street in Shaftsbury for $16,000. The victim stated that she paid Ware an $8,000 deposit. Ware allegedly did some preliminary work at the property and then never returned after demanding additional funds. The preliminary work Ware performed allegedly caused water damage to the interior of the building, totaling $1,600.

Ware is being sued for $9,800 plus interest. The case is still pending.

The Banner reminds readers that court affidavits contain allegations and that Ware has not been found guilty in these pending cases.

The Vermont Attorney General’s Office has a home improvement registry that allows prospective home improvement clients to research individuals and companies they are interested in hiring. The site also will enable homeowners to report fraud or illegal activity. For more information, visit the state of Vermont home improvement fraud registry.