Brentwood Man Charged In Connection To Rental Scam: SCPD

BRENTWOOD, NY - A Brentwood man was arrested on Friday night for allegedly scheming to defraud, grand larceny and issuing bad checks in connection to a rental scam, according to Suffolk Police.

Aleandro Claudio, 59, showed an apartment to a prospective renter in January 2019, took a deposit, then later claimed the apartment was not available, police said.

When the prospective renter requested a refund, Claudio allegedly issued a check that was returned for insufficient funds, police said.

The renter then allegedly tried to fix the situation but was unsuccessful, police said.

Third Precinct Crime Section Officer Michael Scaturro initiated an investigation and discovered four additional rental scams committed by Claudio in January and February 2019, police said.

The victims included two young women, a double amputee, a family with a newborn child, and a homeless woman, police said.

Claudio was arrested at his home on Blacker Street, according to police.

He was charged with fourth degree grand larceny, first degree scheme to defraud, three counts of issuing a bad check, petty larceny and third degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

He was held overnight at the Third Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Saturday.

The investigation is continuing.

Anyone who has additional information or believes they have been a victim of this rental scam is asked to call Third Precinct Crime Section at 631-854-8332 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.