Hollywood: On July 17, 2018, detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department's Hollywood Division arrested Johnny Ray Gasca for numerous counts of grand theft stemming from an apartment rental scam.

Mr. Gasca was named in several crime reports that noted similar patterns. The victims responded to a Craigslist post advertising a room for rent in the Hollywood area. After collecting a security deposit and first month's rent, but before the agreed upon move-in date,
Mr. Gasca told the victims the room would not be available on the contracted date. An excuse Mr. Gasca gave some of the victims involved the death of the current tenant's family member which required a delayed move-in date. Various excuses continued until the victims demanded their money back. Ultimately, many of the victims never received a full refund. Detectives have reason to believe Mr. Gasca has continued to similarly defraud victims in the Hollywood area.

Additional victims who may have not reported the incident are encouraged to contact Hollywood Detective Aluotto at (213) 972-2929 or Detective Childs at (213) 972-2930. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may also visit ww.lapdonline.org, and click on "Anonymous Web Tips" under the "Get Involved-Crime Stoppers" menu to submit an onlinetip. Lastly, tipsters may also download the "P3 Tips" mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.

Follow @LAPDHQ	LAPD on Facebook
Follow @lapolicefdtn