A Muncie man faces new theft charges in a pending case

DELAWARE COUNTY — A Muncie man faces three new theft charges Monday after a WRTV investigation raised questions about his plumbing business practices.

Dustin Garmon is accused of stealing items from Menards locations in Hamilton and Delaware counties.

On Sept. 18, Westfield Police officers were dispatched to the Menards at 2150 East Greyhound Pass regarding a man inside the store believed to be a suspect in multiple thefts.

An officer conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver leaving the store as Dustin Garmon, court documents allege.

“He denied involvement in any theft and advised he was in the process of moving to Fishers in Anderson,” the affidavit states. “He had no reason to stop at the Westfield Menards location.”

Prosecutors allege that on Sept. 16, Garmon selected a 5-piece cordless tool combo set ($499) and a circular saw set ($349) and left the store without paying for them.

On Sept. 17, Garmon also walked out of the store without paying for a $699 laser level kit.

In both cases, he got into a white Chevrolet Malibu without a license plate and left the scene, according to court documents.

Hamilton County prosecutors charged Garmon on Nov. 21 with felony theft where the value of the property is between $750 and $50,000, as well as one count of misdemeanor theft.

A warrant was issued for his arrest.

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WRTV

Dustin Garmon is charged with Theft, a Level 6 felony and is scheduled for a jury trial on June 24.

No hearing date has been set.

On Nov. 22, Delaware County prosecutors charged Garmon with theft of property valued between $750 and $50,000.

The alleged theft happened at Menards on Aug. 14, 2024, according to court documents.

He is due in Delaware County court on Dec. 19, and if he fails to appear, a warrant could be issued for his arrest.

WRTV Investigates has reached out to Garmon’s attorney, and we are waiting to hear back.

As reported by WRTV InvestigatesGarmon is accused of taking a customer’s money and failing to do promised plumbing work.

This case is still pending.

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A US Army soldier told police in the summer of 2023 that he paid Garmon more than $10,000 for plumbing work at her home in Muncie, according to a police document filed in court.

However, “most of the work was not completed or was not done correctly,” the trooper told police.

The alleged victim also told police that Garmon stopped showing up and she had to spend more than $30,000 to hire other contractors to fix up her home.

Garmon pleaded not guilty.

WRTV Investigates found that Garmon had an apprentice plumber’s license in 2021, but it expired in 2022 and was not renewed.

At the time of the alleged theft in the summer of 2023, Garmon did not have a plumbing license.

In Indiana, you must hold a plumber or journeyman plumber license from the Indiana Plumbing Commission to practice as a plumber or journeyman plumber, according to the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency.

WRTV reached out to the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA) and the Indiana Plumbing Commission, and a PLA spokesperson said they have not received a motion for a cease and desist order from the Indiana Attorney General’s office regarding Dustin Garmon.

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WRTV

WRTV Investigates also appeared at a court hearing on February 15.

Garmon left as soon as the hearing was over and didn’t stop to answer questions from WRTV Investigative Kara Kenney.

WRTV Investigates appeared at a court hearing on February 15, 2024.

Garmon left as soon as the hearing was over and didn’t stop to answer questions from WRTV Investigative Kara Kenney.

WRTV did some checking and found that Garmon was convicted of check fraud in 2020 and completed two years of probation.

Records show Garmon was ordered to pay the victim $5,720, but four years later, Garmon still owes $4,466, according to the clerk’s office.

Allen Wilson of Matthews Indiana won a $23,430 civil judgment against Dustin Garmon in May 2023.

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Kenney, Kara

Allen Wilson of Matthews Indiana won a $23,430 civil judgment against Dustin Garmon in May 2023.

Allen Wilson of Matthews Indiana won a $23,430 civil judgment against Dustin Garmon in May 2023.

“We talked about replacing some plumbing under the house and he said, ‘Well, I can do that,'” Wilson said. “He went in there and said the materials would cost about $800-$900, so I gave it to him. cash.”

Wilson said he gave money to Garmon because at the time, Garmon was married to Wilson’s daughter.

“When I found out he had all these debts he was paying, I just tried to be a good father-in-law,” Wilson said.

Wilson said he has not received anything from Garmon for the $23,430 judgment, but hopes to receive something.

On November 21, Garmon agreed to pay at least $100/month starting in January 2025.

“I hope so,” Wilson said. “It’s a lot of money. It’s a big deal for me or any honest, hard-working person trying to save money.”

At a Feb. 15 hearing, Garmon told the judge he had 28 cents in his bank account.

“If I don’t have money, I can’t pay them, right?” Garmon said.

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Kenney, Kara

Garmon told the judge he has been unemployed since August 2023 but hopes to “get a job” and start paying off his debts.

Dustin Garmon was not criminally charged in the Allen Wilson case.

“We had some setbacks,” Garmon said. “I made some bad judgments on things. Now we’re trying to move forward.”

Garmon also told the court that he does not have an active plumber’s license.

“I’ve worked in the past,” Garmon said.

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WRTV

WRTV Investigates contacted the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, which provided the following statement:

“The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA) and the Indiana Plumbing Commission (Commission) currently have no record of an administrative complaint filed with the Commission seeking disciplinary action against the apprentice plumber license of Mr. Dustin Garmon. The commission never imposed disciplinary sanctions against Mr. Garmon’s apprentice plumber’s license.

If a consumer believes that a licensee has breached standards of practice, acted dishonestly, acted unethically or committed actions that pose a serious risk to the health, safety or welfare of the public, the consumer may consider filing a complaint against the licensee. Consumer complaints are ultimately investigated by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), and the OAG will determine whether a complaint warrants disciplinary action against the licensee before the appropriate licensing board, which is supported by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency ( PLA). Information is provided about the consumer complaint process and how to properly file a consumer complaint Here on the PLA website and Here on the OAG website. Any person may file a consumer complaint against a licensee under IC 25-1-7-4. If a consumer wishes to remain anonymous, they can contact the PLA and request that the PLA file a consumer complaint with the OAG on their behalf.”

TIPS FOR HIRING A CONTRACTOR:

  • Get estimates in writing
  • Check for criminal charges or civil lawsuits Here
  • Check for a contractor’s license
  • Ask for references and call them
  • Ask to see examples of their work
  • Ask about insurance: personal liability, worker’s compensation and property damage coverage
  • Pay wisely, not all up front