SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - On Wednesday, Anthony Joseph Green was arrested for multiple theft offenses. Green has a history of responding to Craigslist posts for people who are in search of an apartment to rent.
Police said Anthony Green would befriend would-be tenants on Facebook and tell them he was in the Navy.
Green would typically state he was helicopter rescue swimmer in the U.S. Navy and had a furnished apartment for a low price. He claimed that he would deploy and required a financial deposit before he left.
In one case, Green stole electronics from a disabled man.
According to police, Green would not meet at the rental location, but would rather tell victims he could not go off base, so he would meet them in Coronado.
Victims would hand over the cash, sometimes between $500 to $700, but by the time renters would check the place out it was too late. The apartment was either occupied or did not exist.
One couple was so frustrated and embarrassed they did not want to go on camera, but told CBS News 8 they went to the police who helped them set up a ruse to meet with Green again.
As of now, six people have been identified as victims of Green's thefts.
San Diego Police Department Western Division Detectives are looking for anymore possible, unreported victims of Green.
Green is charged with violating parole, and prosecutors said he was convicted of violent crimes, including robbery.
Green also faces felony grand theft. He is being held on $75,000 bail.
If you believe that you were a victim of an unreported crime involving Green, you are asked to contact the San Diego Police Department at (619) 531-2000, San Diego Police Acting Detective Sarah Calvert at (619) 692-4800 or call Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.