Long Island Man Accused Of Running Rental Scam

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A Long Island man is accused of scamming would-be renters and then continuing with the illegal activity even after being arrested.

Joseph Fernandez, 26, of Sayville, posted ads for a rental room on the Internet and then stole the security deposits from respondents, authorities say. They allege he even stole personal items from prospective tenants and then sold them on Craigslist, WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs reported.

Authorities said they are aware of more than a half-dozen victims and believe there are more, urging them to come forward by calling 631-854-8527.

Fernandez, 26, is scheduled to be arraigned Monday on larceny, grand larceny and fraud charges. He was initially arrested in September and then again on Dec. 2.