GAITHERSBURG, Md. — A woman was arrested for a series of apartment rental frauds in Silver Spring from back in July.
Detectives arrested 38-year-old Shikia Kenya Newell on October 14, following a months-long investigation.
The investigation began on July 12 when a property manager at an apartment building in the 1900 block of East West Highway reported that an unknown woman had fraudulently rented out an apartment in her complex to a man. On July 15, detectives were notified of a second victim who had met with the same suspect, police said. The suspect identified herself as a property manager of the same complex in the 1900 block of East West Highway.
The victim told police the suspect showed her apartments available for lease. The victim said she signed a lease, and provided the suspect with the security deposit and rental fees before she found out the key provided for the apartment didn't work.
During the investigation, detectives identified Newell as the suspect. Investigators further determined that Newell used multiple identities to complete her fraudulent activity in other areas of Montgomery County including Aspen Hill, Bethesda and Rockville, according to police.
On October 14, Newell was found at an apartment building in Rockville and arrested on an active arrest warrant.
Newell is being held without bond, and additional charges for this fraud investigation are forthcoming, police said.
