BEATRICE - Beatrice Police say they have received about a dozen complaints from customers who did business with a Beatrice business called Patriot Fence Company.  The complaints arose regarding estimates given for projects and money that customers put down for specific work, but who have waited for the work to be completed.


A Beatrice Police investigator looking into the matter has forwarded information to the Gage County Attorney's Office for review. Jim Hegarty of the Better Business Bureau covering Nebraska says the bureau received a couple of complaints.


"What we typically do when a company has indicated that it is going out of business or filing bankruptcy, at that point we're pretty much out of it and we can then forward the compiled information that we have to the A.G.'s Consumer Protection Office. They often will make a determination as to whether or not its a civil issue or whether or not there was any criminal intent in collecting deposits."


A police lieutenant says prospective customers have reported losses between approximately $2,300 to around $10,000. Hegarty said it’s always best to do some research of companies ahead of time.


"First of all, check with us before you enter into a contract with anybody. We don't ever suggest putting down any more than one-third at the beginning of the project....and perhaps another third when the project is at midpoint...and then the final payment when everything is done to completion in accordance with the contract. And, this sort of spares people from getting into situations where they are putting down large deposits."


Hegarty said many companies won’t require a large deposit for work to be done. Hegarty says the owner of the Beatrice company said he intended to file for bankruptcy and that customers would be notified.


"According to the owner, they were awaiting materials. I think because of Covid, there were some significant delays in terms of receiving product. Whether a variety of things that were delaying these projects getting started...I don't have an explanation for why things have sort of fallen apart or what exactly the specifics are or why the company is unable to manage these projects".


Hegarty says more may be revealed as the case moves forward.  Business listings show Patriot Fence has been in business since 2006 in Beatrice. The Better Business Bureau's website shows the company's profile is in the process of being reviewed.