Couple accused of real estate scam

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 19 (UPI) -- A Los Angeles couple has been arrested and accused of illegally seizing and renting out property in Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

Jesus and Sophia Aguayo, both real estate professionals, were arrested Wednesday and charged with illegally seizing the homes of as many as 100 elderly victims, the Los Angeles Times reported Thursday.

Prosecutors accuse the Aguayos of using tax rolls to find home owners who were behind on their property tax payments and then staking out the homes to find out which ones were unoccupied, the Times said. The couple then paid the back taxes and rented out the properties.

The couple has been charged with grand theft, residential burglary, forgery, vandalism, trespassing, filing false documents and elder abuse. They could each face 20 years imprisonment if convicted.