Police: Men Broke Into Home, Rented It Out

Two men were arrested Sunday in Manorville when a homeowner returned to his Sunrise Service Road North residence and found them inside posing as landlords, according to police.

Suffolk County police said the men, 27-year-old Jose Laboy of Shirley and 40-year-old Barry McDaniel of Coram, broke into the home sometime between Saturday and Sunday and changed the locks. An ad was placed on the website Craigslist in the Rooms and Shares section, both in English and Spanish, advertising a residence for rent in Center Moriches.

Laboy accepted a $1,300 deposit from a person interested in renting, police said.

Laboy is charged with fourth-degree grand larceny, second-degree burglary, fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, and possession of burglar’s tools. McDaniel was charged with second-degree burglary, fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, and possession of burglar’s tools. Laboy and McDaniel were held overnight for arraignment in First District Court in Central Islip.

The investigation is continuing. Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of this rental scam is asked to call the Seventh Squad at 631-852-8752.