Cop Faces Jail Time For Allegedly Stealing Bed Stuy Townhouse
NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- An NYPD officer is facing 15 years behind bars for a dirty deed.
As CBS2's Alice Gainer reported, she's accused of stealing a townhouse.
Blanche O'Neal, 45, entered a courtroom in cuffs on Monday.
The Brooklyn District Attorney said the officer allegedly stole a three family house in Bed Stuy Brooklyn.
After the arraignment a judge released O'Neal on her own recognizance.
When she exited the courtroom and the cuffs were off she remained silent.
Brooklyn D.A. Ken Thompson said the homeowner of 23A Vernon Avenue died back in 1993, but her nephew and three other relatives inherited the property. It sat vacant for years.
"And that was an opportunity that we allege this officer took advantage of by filing he necessary paperwork to be able to gain ownership falsely over the property in Bed Stuy," Thompson said.
The D.A. said O'Neal filed a deed transferring the property from the deceased owner's nephew to herself back in 2012, alleging that he sold it to her for $10,000.
The scheme was uncovered when a buyer contacted the nephew last year.
Thompson said it was actually O'Neal that notified authorities when the rightful owners of the home went to sell it, WCBS 880's Marla Diamond reported.
"Officer O'Neal reported that someone was basically trying to commit deed fraud against her," Thompson said.
"The actual owner of the property attempted to sell it and learned that the deed had been transferred to someone else," Thompson said.
Though nobody lives at the home some fall decorations and a garden are well kept.
"Somebody was supposed to be buying the building. That's why the pumpkin is there, the flowers and all, this is out here so they've been taking care of the building," block association VP, Andrew Coleman said.
O'Neal lives down the street from the property in question. CBS2 tried to catch up with her after her court appearance, but she did not comment.
"Everyone can see when there's a home that no one is living in," Thompson said. "Sadly sometimes people will try to take advantage of that and steal the property."
She has been suspended without pay from the 83rd Precinct in Bushwick.