Duo Facing Theft By False Pretenses Charge Accused Of Leasing Vacant Homes In Some Stage Of Foreclosure To Unwitting Tenants, Pocketing Deposits, Rent

In Barstow, California, the Desert Dispatch reports:

• Barstow Police have arrested two people in connection with recent housing fraud involving foreclosed or pre-forclosure homes that were rented out to unsuspecting tenants. According to police reports, a Barstow code enforcement officer was checking out a vacant, pre-foreclosed home in early February and found tenants living inside the home. The tenants said they were renting from Evelyn Thompson, 50, who was arrested in Colton, Calif. on Wednesday and charged with theft by false pretenses.

• Edward Tafoya, 52, — who police say assisted Thompson — was also arrested and charged with theft by false pretenses. Police say both are Barstow-area residents.

• Over the course of the police investigation, additional renters were found to be in the same situation and all were renting from Thompson, who allegedly would pose as a property manager and collect deposit fees and subsequent rent.

For more, see Agent charged with defrauding renters (Police: woman posed as property manager, rented foreclosed homes).