OLD BRIDGE, NJ — An Old Bridge man is accused of helping his girlfriend in Newark scam a Texas woman out of more than $90,000, after they pretended to do renovations on property the woman owned in New Jersey, and lied about finding the woman a tenant, said Union County Prosecutor William Daniel.
They were arrested in June, but their arrests were announced this week by the Union County Prosecutor.
Jalen Carlisle, 32, of Old Bridge, is charged with theft by deception, conspiracy, multiple counts of hindering his apprehension and other charges.
His girlfriend is Martinia Heath, 44, a Newark resident, and she was also arrested and criminally charged.
The victim lived in Texas, say prosecutors.
Between September 2024 and April 2026, detectives say Heath arranged with the woman to manage renovations for a property she owned in Newark.
Over the course of several months, the victim transferred approximately $90,944 to the New Jersey couple to pay for contractor services and property improvements. But police say Heath and Carlisle spent the woman's money and did not do any of the renovations.
Heath used fake phone numbers to impersonate a contractor to the victim, and also pretended he was a prospective tenant while communicating via text message with the victim, said police.
Heath and Carlisle were arrested in June at Heath's Broad Street apartment in Newark. Heath is similarly charged with theft, theft by deception, conspiracy, hindering her own arrest, but also impersonation, among other charges.
She is also facing charges from a December 2024 arrest in which she was charged with theft by deception, impersonation and forgery.
Anyone with further information about these or similar incidents involving Martinia Heath or Jalen Carlisle is urged to contact Union County Prosecutor's Office Detective Jessica Tattoli at (908) 527-4325.
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