Philly Man Stole 6 Properties Through Forgery, Fudged Records: DA

PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia man has been charged with 45 counts related to stealing six Philadelphia properties, the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office said.

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner announced the arrest and charging of Robert Stokes, 50, for crimes related to stealing six Philadelphia properties.

Stokes is charged with 13 counts of felony forgery, 7 counts of felony theft by unlawful taking, seven counts of felony theft by deception, and 18 counts of two separate tempering with records or identification charges, nine of which are felonies, according to the DA's office.

"Last month we announced the prosecution of several house thefts, and today I’m pleased to announce the prosecution of another person who thought that it was OK to steal properties belonging to poor people, the elderly, and the deceased," Krasner said. "I’d like to thank our governmental partners for their cooperation, the office’s Economic and Cyber Crimes Unit, and take this opportunity remind everyone to protect their estate and contact us at 215-686-9902 if they think their home has been stolen."

Notary stamps and signatures that Stokes used were the same and fraudulent, the DA's office alleges.

Stokes is also accused of using the same Pennsylvania driver’s license and signature when he recorded the fraudulent deeds with the Visitor Register at the City Hall Department of Records.

A list of houses Robert Stokes stole includes:

• 1512 S. Lambert St. – The office’s investigation found that this property was transferred to Robert Stokes for $25,000 unbeknownst to the legal owner. The owner stated that he did not sign the deed, so his signature was forged, and the office found that the notarization and stamp on the deed were counterfeit.
• 1514 S. Lambert St. – The office’s investigation found that this property was transferred to Robert Stokes for $26,000 unbeknownst to the legal owner’s son who managed his mother’s estate. The office found that the deed was signed after the legal owner had passed away, and the notarization and stamp on the deed were counterfeit.
• 1524 S. Lambert St. – The office’s investigation found that this property was transferred to Robert Stokes for $25,000 unbeknownst to the legal owner’s son who managed his father’s estate. The legal owner’s son stated that his father did not sign the deed, so his signature was forged, and the office found that the notarization and stamp on the deed were counterfeit.
• 1539 S. Capitol St. – The office’s investigation found that this property was transferred to Robert Stokes for $25,000. The office could not find the legal owner of the property, but found that the notarization and stamp on the deed were counterfeit.
• 1546 S. Capitol St. – The office’s investigation found that this property was transferred to Robert Stokes for $25,000. The office found that the legal owner of the property passed away on Sept. 13, 1983, so he could not have signed and transferred the property on Aug. 11, 2017, as stated on the fraudulent deed. The office also found that the notarization and stamp on the deed were counterfeit.
• 1547 S. Capitol St. – The office’s investigation found that this property was transferred to Robert Stokes for $4,000. The office found that the legal owners of the property passed away on Sept. 13, 1983, and April 6, 1970, so they could not have signed and transferred the property on Aug. 7, 2017, as stated on the fraudulent deed. The office also found that the notarization and stamp on the deed were counterfeit.