How to find licensed and bonded contractors after Rancho Mirage handyman theft experience

When Art Avaness hired a handyman to work on his home in Rancho Mirage, he never thought the project would turn into an active investigation.

That’s because Avaness says the handy man he hired took over $3,000 in construction tools from his home over the course of several months.

"Tools were going missing. I was using my concrete drill bits, my mason bits. I've used them two days prior, and all of a sudden they're gone. Drills, batteries, my entire day wall stuff."

Avaness said he originally contacted the worker’s company for a quote. When he turned down their services due to high prices, the handyman reached out by himself with a promise to do the work at a lower cost.

Avaness contacted the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office last month after finding several of his personal tools in the back of the handyman’s truck.

Responding deputies put the handyman in handcuffs, but later released him to gather more evidence.

Joe Ducey with the Better Business Bureau cautioned against hiring employees for work outside of their company.

"If you're getting calls, texts, or emails from a worker with a company who wants to do something on the side, you don’t want to do that because that person isn't licensed to do the work. It's the company that's licensed, and they're the ones who have something to lose if they don't do the job correctly."

Ducey also recommends scoping out employees on neighborhood forum apps and relying on customer reviews.

Tools like the Better Business Bureau’s online directory can also find accredited businesses in your area.

The Riverside Sheriff's Department says the case is in an active investigation and is looking for other possible victims.

It is unknown at this time if the handyman was arrested.

For more Better Business Bureau resources, visit: https://www.bbb.org/