HEMPSTEAD, NY — A West Hempstead woman was arrested in connection with a possible rental scam in Hempstead in July, police said.
After a 49-year-old woman coordinated a rental agreement on Meadowbrook Road for a man and a woman, she met with them in person on July 17, Nassau County police said. The woman gave them the first month's rent and a security deposit, totaling $7,000, police said.
The next day, July 18, she returned to the home to pick up paperwork and was met with a 42-year-old man who was identified as the "actual" homeowner, according to police.
The man said he had never rented out his home and discovered that the lockbox outside the home had been damaged and the key to the house was missing, police said.
Upon investigation, police arrested Aurelia Soogea, 39, on Aug. 19, police said.
According to police, Soogea provided police with a fraudulent driver's license.
Police said Soogea was charged with second-degree burglary, third-degree grand larceny, second-degree possession of a foreign instrument, and first-degree defraud. She will be arraigned on Aug. 20 at First District Court in Hempstead, police said.
The investigation is ongoing, police said.
If anyone feels they were in a similar incident, police request them to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS or the Third Squad at 516-573-6353. Police said all callers will remain anonymous.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Garden City Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.