Alleged Rental Scammers Charged With Burglary

wo men accused of breaking into vacant Temecula-area homes and then representing themselves as the managers of the properties -- which they leased to unsuspecting renters -- were each charged today with three counts of felony burglary.

Brent David Perry, 26, and Matthew Andrew Sinay, 24 -- both of Temecula - - were arrested Tuesday after Riverside County sheriff's investigators learned the pair had allegedly been carrying out a scam in the 32000 block of Ritter Court.

The men are each being held in lieu of $35,000 bail at the Southwest Detention Center and are slated to make their initial court appearance this afternoon at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta.

According to sheriff's investigators, the defendants were first arrested on April 5 after they were allegedly caught issuing fraudulent rental agreements for single-family dwellings they didn't own. They were arrested on suspicion of trespassing, conspiracy and burglary in connection with activity at the Ritter Court property.

The men posted bond within two days of their first arrest and were released from jail. However, according to sheriff's Sgt. Joseph Greco, detectives obtained information indicating the pair had been involved in similar scams at other homes, leading to their being re-arrested at their residence in the 42000 block of Wyandotte Street.

The number of alleged victims was not disclosed.

If convicted, each man could face up to 18 years in prison. --City News Service