A 26-year-old Sayville man was indicted Monday for allegedly stealing rent, security deposit money and other property from prospective tenants after posting property rental ads online, authorities said.
Joseph Fernandez was charged with multiple counts of petit larceny, grand larceny and scheme to defraud after a grand jury ruled to indict him in the scam.
Fernandez was first arrested in September after he allegedly pocketed money that apartment seekers gave him for rent and security deposits, Suffolk County authorities said.
He allegedly continued his scam after his arrest and was busted again Dec. 2, authorities said.
One of his victims brought tires and wheel rims to a property before moving in and Fernandez immediately posted a Craigslist advertising them for sale, Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said in a statement.
Fernandez pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Monday. His attorney could not immediately be reached for comment.
