VSP briefs: New charges in home improvement fraud & threatening cases

May 12, 2026 | By Waterbury Roundabout 

A complaint regarding home improvement fraud in Waterbury in 2025 has resulted in charges awaiting a Stowe contractor in state criminal court in June, according to Vermont State Police.

The incident was reported to troopers in November, according to a recent press release from Trooper Mae Murdock. Property owner John Peterson, 78, of Waterbury, reported that he had entered into a contractual agreement for land improvement with Caleb Mayo, 47, of Morrisville in August 2025. “Mayo misrepresented facts surrounding the contract and committed the offenses of Home Improvement Fraud and False Pretenses,” according to the police report.

On April 28, troopers located Mayo, now listed with a Stowe home address, and issued him a citation to appear in Washington County Superior Court on June 4 to face charges of Home Improvement Fraud and False Pretenses or Tokens.

Trooper Murdock said anyone with additional information that might help investigators in this or similar incidents should contact the Berlin barracks at 802-229-9191 or leave an anonymous tip by phone or online.

Criminal threatening

A Waterbury contractor was cited to appear in state criminal court in Barre next month to answer to charges of disorderly conduct and criminal threatening in connection with incidents that took place in April.

According to a press release by Trooper Mae Murdock, a Waterbury woman reported on April 23 that Todd Volitis, 50, of Waterbury, “acted in a manner that was unwanted and threatening… via electronic means.” The woman had hired Volitis to do work at her home, according to the police report.

Volitis was issued a citation to appear in the Washington County Superior Court on June 4 to answer to the charges of disorderly conduct via electronic means and criminal threatening.