Crime & Safety
Washington Man Charged In Rental Scam Targeting Polish Immigrants
Cook County Sheriff's Police say man accepted over $1,500 in rental deposits from victims for condominium he did not own by placing ads in Polish newspaper.
A 29-year-old Washington man is facing felony charges after he allegedly swindled Polish immigrants out of money in a fake rental scam, Cook County Sheriff’s Police announced.
Ronald Pierzowski, of Renton, Wash., was arrested March 14. He has been charged with criminal trespass to real property and theft by deception. His bond was set at $10,000 during a court appearance on Saturday.
An investigation revealed that Pierzowski took deposits from Polish immigrants for fake rental agreements by placing classified ads in a Polish-language newspaper advertising apartments for rent, a sheriff’s police news advisory said.
Find out what's happening in Des Plaineswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Pierzowski allegedly posed as the property owner, landlord or as the agent of the property owner for a condominium in the 9900 block of Holly Lane in unincorporated Des Plaines.. He did not own that property nor was he an agent for the property owner.
The sheriff’s police investigation said that Pierzowski showed the condominium to at least three people, presented them with fraudulent leases, and accepted more $500 from each of the victims as deposits.
Find out what's happening in Des Plaineswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Pierzowski’s next scheduled court date is Thursday, March 20 at the Skokie Courthouse.
Detectives believe there may have been more victims. Cook County Sheriff’s Police ask anyone who may have been a victim to call 708-865-4896.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
