In an alarming incident that underscores potential vulnerabilities in property ownership, a Phoenix, Arizona, home was sold for $200,000 without the owners’ knowledge or consent. The perpetrators, identified as Aaron Polmanteer, 51, and Lledera Hollen, 37, allegedly occupied the vacant property and executed a fraudulent sale by assuming the identities of the rightful homeowners.
Homeowners D’Andrea Turner and her ex-husband, Keith, purchased the residence together and raised their children there. Following their separation, Keith retained the property; however, his occupation as a long-haul trucker often left the house unoccupied for extended periods. This vacancy provided an opportunity for Polmanteer and Hollen to unlawfully enter and occupy the home.
The squatters allegedly discovered personal documents within the residence, which they used to forge identification and assume the Turners’ identities. With these falsified documents, they engaged a real estate contractor to list the property, ultimately selling it to unsuspecting investors for $200,000.
The fraudulent activity came to light in January when D’Andrea and Keith discovered that their home had been sold without their authorization. They were alerted to the situation upon finding the title documents published on the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office website. D’Andrea expressed her disbelief, stating, “That is not my name, and that’s not my signature… How does this happen? At what point that someone didn’t do their job?”
The investors involved reported touring the property twice, interacting with Polmanteer and Hollen, who posed as the legitimate owners during these visits. The scheme began to unravel when the squatters encountered difficulties cashing checks issued in the Turners’ names. Subsequently, Polmanteer and Hollen were indicted for their roles in the fraudulent sale.
James Carrieres, an investigator specializing in document fraud with the Phoenix Police Department, explained that the title company is now responsible for reimbursing the investors, restoring the title to the rightful homeowners, and addressing any associated financial encumbrances.
Legally, D’Andrea and Keith remain the rightful owners of the property. However, D’Andrea continues to face residual issues from the ordeal, including receiving mail addressed to the squatters. Reflecting on the experience, she remarked, “It feels so surreal. I feel like I’m in the Twilight Zone. Really, I didn’t even think something like this could happen.”
This incident highlights the importance of vigilance in property management, especially for homes that may be vacant for extended periods. Homeowners are advised to secure personal documents, regularly monitor property records, and consider utilizing title alert systems to detect unauthorized transactions. Such proactive measures can help safeguard against similar fraudulent activities in the future.
