Port Jefferson Station, NY - May 16th, 2014 - Suffolk County Police have arrested two women that defrauded numerous people of their money by falsely offering a room for rent in a Port Jefferson Station home.
Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers received numerous complaints from individuals indicating that they had been defrauded of money paid for a room that was allegedly for rent at 18 Clifton Place, Port Jefferson Station. Over the course of three months, the victims gave Lisa Liebetruth (pictured below) and Maria Rennick (pictured left) a total of approximately $7000 cash for deposits and various costs for the apartment.
An investigation revealed that Liebetruth and Rennick, who both live at the Clifton Place address, would actively solicit people who had posted ads on Craigslist looking for a rental. The women would then take a cash deposit from the victims, but never actually rented them the room. Liebetruth and Rennick never returned the money and would then avoid communication with the victims.
Liebetruth, 45, was arrested on April 29th and was charged with Scheme to Defraud in the 1st Degree, a Felony. She was arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on April 30th.
Rennick, 30, was arrested on May 15 at approximately 9:45 p.m. and charged with Scheme to Defraud in the 1st Degree, a Felony and Criminal Impersonation. She will be held overnight at the Sixth Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned on May 16th.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Incident: Two Women Arrested After Defrauding Victims in Rental Scam
Location: 18 Clifton Place, Port Jefferson Station
Date/Time: Thursday, May 15 at approximately 9:45 p.m.
