Little Egg Harbor Woman Arrested In Rental Security Scam

LACEY TOWNSHIP, NJ - Lacey police have charged a Little Egg Harbor woman with taking security money and not providing the tenant with keys to the home, Police Chief Michael C. DiBella said.

Jennifer Alvarez, 39, was charged with burglary, theft by deception and impersonation related to the rental scam, the chief said.

Patrolman Michael Hein responded to a suspicious incident report on Dec. 27. A Bayville woman reported she thought she was a fraud victim after she answered a ad for a rental on Facebook and made an appointment to see the Forked River home.

The victim also made an arrangement with a security company representative and completed the lease. She gave the representative a $2,025 security deposit. Several days later she still had not received the keys to the home and called police, DiBella said.

Patrolman Hein and Detective Kymberly Gudgeon were able to confirm that the ad was fraudulent and identified the suspect as Jennifer Alvarez. Lacey detectives arranged with the victim to meet with Alvarez, supposedly to collect the first month's rent, the chief said.

Alvarez was arrested when she arrived to collect the money. She was released pending an upcoming court appearance, DiBella said.

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