Suspected Lowlife Facing False Pretenses, B&E Charges For Hijacking Possession Of Vacant Home, Then Pocketing $800 By Renting It To Unwitting Tenant Declared A 'No-Show' At Arraignment; Judge Issues Arrest Warrant

In Lincoln Park, Illinois, The News Herald reports:

• The 35-year-old man accused of fraudulently renting out a city-owned house did not appear for his arraignment Sept. 3 and a bench warrant has been issued.
  
  Police say Andrew Robert Myrick, of Melvindale, collected at least $800 cash from a 24-year-old woman who moved into the two bedroom in the 1500 block of Pagel Avenue with her 7-year-old daughter in June. He was cited for breaking and entering and larceny by trick/false pretenses.
  
  In August, city officials went to check on the house they expected to be vacant and found the family settled in. The city gave them 30 days to find new living arrangements.
  
  Authorities say Myrick had no connections to the house and allegedly told the tenant that the home was heading into foreclosure, but could be rented out at $400 a month in the meantime.
  
  According to Doreen Christian, assistant community planning and development director, the house was obtained through a quit claim deed from the Wayne County Treasurer’s Office and was originally going to be revamped for a low- to moderate-income family using grant money.
  
  The house is now empty, but there are no set plans, she said.

Source: Warrant issued for Melvindale man who reportedly posed as phony Lincoln Park landlord.

For earlier story, see Woman falls victim to Lincoln Park rental scam; phony landlord collects cash.