Police: 2 men posed on Craigslist as property owners

Two men are in jail, accused of running a Craigslist scam in which they portrayed themselves as owners of vacant residential property to dupe unsuspecting clients out of cash.

Michael C. Larrick, 31, of Dayton and Shane A. Ruhe, 41, of New Carlisle, were arrested Tuesday afternoon on charges of breaking and entering, Kettering police PIO Ronald Roberts said in a prepared statement.

According to police, Larrick and Ruhe published posts on Craigslist about properties they owned that were available to rent.

The victim would contact the suspects and agree to meet them at a property. Larrick and Ruhe would illegally enter the vacant property and meet the unsuspecting victim. Larrick and Ruhe would show the house and get the client to agree upon a cash deposit.

After the deposit was taken, the suspects would not meet the victim again.

After learning of a transaction that was to occur Tuesday, Kettering detectives went to a residence on Lincoln Park Boulevard and were waiting when Larrick and Ruhe showed up for their business deal.

Both were arrested and detained without bond at the Kettering City Jail. Formal charges are pending approval of the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office.

Roberts said the police department is asking any other victims who have made a deposit only to be scammed by the suspects are encouraged to call Detective Aldrich at 937-296-2559.