By Alex Lloyd Gross
In Philadelphia, a problem persists of people that would forge identities of dead people, elderly or the infirm, to change the deed to the property ownership to themselves. This, is in effect how you steal a house. It is blatantly illegal but it is done frequently. Instead of using a gun or a knife, the thief uses forged paperwork and phony seals.
According to Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, Robert Stokes was arrested for doing just that, police allege. Stokes taken into custody by police March 8, 2019 and charged with:
- Forgery 18 Pa.C.S.A. §4101 (F-3) (13 counts)
- Theft by Unlawful Taking or Disposition 18 Pa.C.S.A. §3921 (F-3) (7 counts)
- Theft by Deception 18 Pa.C.S.A. §3922 (F-3) (7 counts)
- Tampering with Records or Identification 18 Pa.C.S.A. §4911 (F-3) (9 counts)
- Tampering with Records or Identification 18 Pa.C.S.A. §4104 (M-1) (9 counts) He is accused of the following, according to Krasner’s office,
- 1512 S. Lambert St. – The office’s investigation found that this property was transferred to Robert Stokes for $25,000 unbeknownst to the legal owner. The owner stated that he did not sign the deed, so his signature was forged, and the office found that the notarization and stamp on the deed were counterfeit.
1514 S. Lambert St. – The office’s investigation found that this property was transferred to Robert Stokes for $26,000 unbeknownst to the legal owner’s son who managed his mother’s estate. The office found that the deed was signed after the legal owner had passed away, and the notarization and stamp on the deed were counterfeit.
1524 S. Lambert St. – The office’s investigation found that this property was transferred to Robert Stokes for $25,000 unbeknownst to the legal owner’s son who managed his father’s estate. The legal owner’s son stated that his father did not sign the deed, so his signature was forged, and the office found that the notarization and stamp on the deed were counterfeit.
1539 S. Capitol St. – The office’s investigation found that this property was transferred to Robert Stokes for $25,000. The office could not find the legal owner of the property, but found that the notarization and stamp on the deed were counterfeit.
1546 S. Capitol St. – The office’s investigation found that this property was transferred to Robert Stokes for $25,000. The office found that the legal owner of the property passed away on Sept. 13, 1983, so he could not have signed and transferred the property on Aug. 11, 2017, as stated on the fraudulent deed. The office also found that the notarization and stamp on the deed were counterfeit.
1547 S. Capitol St. – The office’s investigation found that this property was transferred to Robert Stokes for $4,000. The office found that the legal owners of the property passed away on Sept. 13, 1983, and April 6, 1970, so they could not have signed and transferred the property on Aug. 7, 2017, as stated on the fraudulent deed. The office also found that the notarization and stamp on the deed were counterfeit.
- If you think your house might have been stolen and it is in Philadelphia, you are urged to contact the District Attorney at (215) 686-9902