Former Taino Towers Security Guard Posed as Event Planner in Con: DA

EAST HARLEM, NY — A man is facing charges for conning people looking to rent event space in East Harlem's Taino Towers.

Mohamed Yahaya, a former security guard at the towers, has been charged with four counts of fourth-degree grand larceny and one count of third-degree grand larceny, according to a criminal complaint from the New York District Attorney's office.

Yahaya is accused of conning five different victims out of $13,500, according to the criminal complaint. All five victims came to Yahaya to rent space at the Tiano Towers Crystal Ballroom. Each victim paid Yahaya deposits for the space but later found out that no reservations had been made, a district attorney spokeswoman told Patch.

Yahaya's con started in January and lasted until June. He was arrested in July and released on his own recognizance,according to court records. Yahaya was then arrested again September 10 and charged with four more counts of grand larceny, according to court records.

Yahaya is not being held on bail and his next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 22.

Photo: Google Maps circa May 2016