John DelValle, a maintenance worker from Hackensack, New Jersey, has been accused of defrauding potential renters and car buyers out of thousands of dollars, according to local authorities.
DelValle allegedly posted fraudulent listings on Facebook, showcasing vacant apartments he claimed to own and a Tesla Model 3 he had been renting.
Garfield Police Captain Mario Pozo informed The Post that DelValle had swindled at least three individuals with the Tesla scam and numerous others with the apartment fraud. "Hes gotten at least three victims with the Tesla and many with the apartment," Pozo estimated.
DelValle, 48, who had been employed as a plumber at a Maple Street complex, had access to master keys to the apartments. "So he knew which apartments were empty," the chief explained. DelValle reportedly collected $2500 deposits, had victims sign counterfeit rental agreements, and provided them with useless keys.
The alleged scam began in November when DelValle posted fake rental listings on Facebook Marketplace for the complex where he worked. On November 28, DelValle was charged with theft by deception, but he was released under New Jerseys bail reform law, according to Pozo.
DelValle was arrested again on December 13 for allegedly repeating the same scam. However, he was released from Bergen County jail within days, as public records indicate.
The Hackensack resident then purportedly ventured into the car market, listing the Tesla for sale on Facebook Marketplace for $17,000. An unidentified victim reported to police that he had given DelValle $7,000 and his Nissan Altima on December 30 to secure the Tesla, valued at $36,000. The victim discovered the Tesla missing the following morning.
On January 5, DelValle was apprehended near the Saddle Brook Mall by an off-duty Garfield officer acting on an arrest warrant. DelValle was once again charged with theft by deception and briefly held in Bergen County jail before being released, according to police and court records.
"We can only do our part. We cant really decide whether he remains in jail or not," Pozo expressed. Three more deceived apartment seekers have lodged complaints with the Garfield Police Department, which continues to receive calls from alleged victims of both scams, Pozo added.
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