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NEW YORK – New York State Attorney General Letitia James and Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark on Thursday implicated a deed theft scheme targeting Bronx homeowners and a series of real estate scams that defrauded vulnerable New Yorkers. It was announced that three people had been arrested and charged. Over $250,000. Those indicted include Bronx real estate broker Marcia Campbell, her husband Fred Campbell, and their associate Frank Palmer. Their company, 99 Patmor Ave Inc., was also involved.
The defendants face five criminal charges in connection with the theft of a Bronx property, including fraudulently obtaining a $500,000 mortgage on a stolen home. In addition, Marcia Campbell was separately indicted on 13 additional counts related to real estate investment fraud targeting first-time homebuyers, immigrants, and personal friends.
“Stealing someone’s home or scamming a retired friend into taking out a fake loan and stealing money could not be more callous,” Attorney General James said in a statement. She highlighted that the fraud robbed families of their savings and, in one case, left them homeless.
Thanks to a newly enacted deed theft law co-authored by Attorney General James, authorities were able to secure a stay of foreclosure on stolen homes and prevent sales pending prosecution.
“The defendants allegedly stole homes and more than $250,000 from vulnerable people in a ruthless and greedy scheme,” said Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, seeking justice for the victims. She praised the collaborative efforts of her office and the Attorney General’s Office to do so.
The investigation is ongoing as charges are filed.
AG announces charges against three people for Bronx deed theft and real estate fraud
NEW YORK – New York State Attorney General Letitia James and Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark on Thursday implicated a deed theft scheme targeting Bronx homeowners and a series of real estate scams that defrauded vulnerable New Yorkers. It was announced that three people had been arrested and charged. Over $250,000. Those indicted include Bronx real estate broker Marcia Campbell, her husband Fred Campbell, and their associate Frank Palmer. Their company, 99 Patmor Ave Inc., was also involved.
The defendants face five criminal charges in connection with the theft of a Bronx property, including fraudulently obtaining a $500,000 mortgage on a stolen home. In addition, Marcia Campbell was separately indicted on 13 additional counts related to real estate investment fraud targeting first-time homebuyers, immigrants, and personal friends.
“Stealing someone’s home or defrauding a retired friend of his or her money by taking out a bogus loan is as callous as it gets,” Attorney General James said in a statement. She highlighted that the fraud robbed families of their savings and, in one case, left them homeless.
Thanks to a newly enacted deed theft law co-authored by Attorney General James, authorities were able to secure a stay of foreclosure on stolen homes and prevent sales pending prosecution.
“The defendants allegedly stole homes and more than $250,000 from vulnerable people in a ruthless and greedy scheme,” said Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, seeking justice for the victims. He praised the collaborative efforts of the District Attorney’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office.
The investigation is ongoing as charges are filed.
Buffalo Police ask for help finding missing 17-year-old Rochester boy
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating 17-year-old Zabria Hyland, who is missing from Rochester and believed to be in the Buffalo area. Hyland, a black woman, is approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs approximately 325 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing pink pajama pants. Authorities noted she was carrying a large duffel bag, possibly gray in color. or black in color.
Hyland may have used the names “Brianna Rose” or “Brianna McDuffie.” Police believe she was last seen in the Grant and Herkimer area of Buffalo and may be staying on Herkimer Street.
Buffalo Police are asking anyone with information about Hyland’s whereabouts to call 911 immediately. The investigation is still ongoing.
Dead minke whale found in Raritan Bay off the New Jersey coast
SANDY HOOK, N.J. — A minke whale carcass was found floating in the Lower Bay/Raritan Bay area Thursday morning, prompting local and federal agencies to begin efforts to track its movements. The whale, estimated to be 16 to 18 feet long, was first reported by the U.S. Coast Guard, which alerted marine mammal stranding organizations including the Marine Mammal Stranding Center and the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) staff were able to locate the whale and install a tracking device to monitor its drift. The whale is expected to wash ashore as early as Thursday night, with authorities predicting it could come ashore near Sandy Hook, New Jersey.
The Marine Mammal Stranding Center said in a statement posted on social media that it was “planning our response in the event of a landfall.” The center said once the whale reaches shore, coordination will be made with NOAA Fisheries and local authorities to assess the best course of action to examine the animal.
The cause of the whale’s death remains unknown at this time. Minke whales, a small species of baleen whale, are occasionally seen off the coast of New Jersey, but strandings and deaths are not uncommon.
Officials will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.
