Toronto Police say they have arrested a man on 36 charges following an investigation into rental properties posted online. Between September 2017 and June, condos were advertised for rent at 87 Peter St., Toronto; 5025 Foursprings Avenue, Mississauga, and 5044 Hurontario Street, Mississauga. When would-be renters responded to the listings, the accused met with the victims, who signed leases and provided a cash deposit for the listing. The accused did not own the properties, police allege. Police arrested Goran Drozdek, 34, on Wednesday after responding to a rental ad posted online. He has been charged with nine counts of fraud under $5,000, 18 counts of failure to comply with probation, eight counts of breach of recognizance, and assault to resist arrest. In September, Drozdek was arrested for two counts of fraud under $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, and three counts of failure to comply with probation. In a similar scenario, police allege that Drozdek posted ads online using an alias, defrauding a 27-year-old woman. In April 2016, Peel Regional Police issued a missing persons alert for Drozdek, saying his family had reported he had disappeared and were concerned for his safety. Drozdek appeared in court at Old City Hall on Thursday.Anyone who believes they may have been a victim, or who has information, is asked to contact police at 416-808-5200, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).With files from Bryann Aguilar and Pam Douglas, Brampton Guardian
|