Uniondale woman ran apartment rental scam, Nassau police say

She advertised her apartment for rent, took deposits from seven different victims, then stiffed them by making the place unavailable, Nassau County police said.

Now, Keydi N. Garcia, 33, and her accomplice, Mauricio Flores, 32, both of Locust Avenue, Uniondale, face prosecution for a host of charges related to the scam, police said.

Flores, who was arrested on Sept. 26, is due back in court Jan. 29, according to online court records. Garcia, who was arrested Monday, is scheduled to appear again on Thursday.

Police said that Garcia offered her apartment to unwitting victims, taking security deposits from seven victims — generally, one month’s rent. But, police said, when it came time for the victims to move in, they were unable to contact or locate Garcia and they were unable to gain access to the apartment.

The scam took place from June through October, police said.

Garcia is charged with first-degree scheme to defraud as well as five counts of fourth-degree grand larceny and six counts of petty larceny. Online court records show she was being held in lieu of $1,000 bond or $500 cash.

Flores was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny, first-degree scheme to defraud and false personation.

He is being held in lieu of $5,000 bond or $2,500 cash.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”