Police in Wheat Ridge arrested a 39-year-old woman Thursday after she allegedly used Craigslist to rent out an abandoned home she did not own.
Michelle Copeland, 39, is being held at the Jefferson County jail on suspicion of burglary, theft and computer crime.
Investigators were alerted to the apparent scam by concerned neighbors who reported a family had moved into an abandoned home in their area.
The neighbors knew the home was in the process of being foreclosed and had been empty for quite some time, police said in a news release.
An investigation by police revealed the family who was living in the house found it through a Craigslist ad in the site’s “For Rent” section.
The victims told police they had met with Copeland, who was using the alias Lisa Sandoval, and negotiated lease terms for the home.
“The victim paid cash for the first month’s rent and deposit,” the release said. “The police department determined that Copeland did not represent the homeowner and had no authority to rent the residence.”
Authorities say they are working with several community organizations to assist the victim family with their needs.
Police say they believe there may be additional victims of Copeland’s. Anyone with information linked to the case is asked to call investigators at 303-235-2947.
