Detectives Seeking Additional Victims of an Apartment Rental Scammer NR18229dm

August 28, 2018

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.

Johnny Ray Gasca

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.