The person they picked on was about as vulnerable as they come’ ↗
Dementia patient kidnapped so investors could steal his home, authorities sayDementia patient kidnapped so investors could steal his home, authorities say
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — Two real estate investors, plus a realtor and a notary, are all accused in a scheme to defraud a dementia patient out of his Hollywood home. Investigators said the realtor kidnapped the victim and dumped him in Miami Gardens as part of the scam.
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According to a news release from the office of Broward County Property Appraiser Marty Kiar, the quartet now faces a combined 15 charges.
In a news conference on Monday morning, officials identified the victim as Thomas Hegarty, 71.
“His home was taken from him,” Hollywood Police Department Detective Theo Defreze said. “He lost all of his possessions ― belongings, cars. I mean, he lost everything.
Officials said the investigation began after one of Hegarty’s sister-in-law contacted Hollywood police, concerned about the senior’s “deteriorating mental condition and the suspicious circumstances surrounding the transfer of his longtime residence of over 25 years,” in the 2200 block of Mayo Street.
Investigators said the group “took advantage of the victim’s deteriorating mental state to obtain his signature on a power of attorney document and warranty deed,” which was “falsely notarized” by Derek Enrique, 43, of Tamarac, “and used to purportedly transfer ownership of the home,” to a company called Cash4Keys South Florida.
That company, authorities said, was controlled by 25-year-old investors Brandon Lee Miguel and Jordy Luis Perez.
Officials said the home was worth about $300,000 but sold for only $191,000.
“We haven’t found any evidence that (Hegarty) got any of that money,” Kiar said Monday.
Authorities said the duo then arranged to have realtor Monica Elizabeth Castelli, 56, of Margate, remove Hegarty from his home “and abandoned at a dilapidated rooming house in Miami Gardens.”
Officials said on Monday that Hegarty was distraught and crying, so Castelli picked him up and dropped him off again at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood. That’s when staff notified his sister-in-law about what happened.
“Once the victim was removed from his home, they were able to gain entry and are alleged to have removed all of his personal property which was subsequently reported missing, including three vehicles that belonged to the victim,” Kiar’s office stated in the release.
Miguel and Perez, who were arrested in Miami-Dade County, now face charges including first-degree grand theft, elderly exploitation, organized fraud and mortgage fraud.
Castelli also faces an elderly exploitation charge, as well as a charge of kidnapping with intent to facilitate the commission of a felony.
Enrique faces a charge of false or fraudulent acknowledgements.
“It’s very upsetting, very sad, and what really bothers me is the person they picked on was about as vulnerable as they come and that really is what makes this case a case that’s very sad,” Kiar said on Monday. “I’m very glad that people have have been arrested and they will have their day in court.
Authorities said the investigation into the four involved multiple agencies; besides Kiar’s office and Hollywood police, the Broward Sheriff’s Office, Broward State Attorney’s Office and the Florida Department were also involved.
Kiar said Cash4Keys still controls Hegarty’s home, saying his family has now hired an attorney in an attempt to get it back.
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