Detectives from the county’s 2nd District Patrol Investigations Unit have arrested and charged Shikia Kenya Newell, age 38, for the July 2021 reports of fraud occurring in Silver Spring.
“The investigation began on July 12 when a property manager of an apartment building in the 1900 block of East-West Highway reported that an unknown female suspect had fraudulently rented out an apartment in her complex to a male victim,” reads an MCPD news release. “On July 15, detectives were notified of a second victim who had met with the same suspect. The suspect, again identified herself as a rental/property manager of the same apartment complex in the 1900 block of East-West Highway. The victim stated the suspect showed her apartments available for lease. The victim stated she signed a lease and provided the suspect with the security deposit and rental fees, prior to finding out that the key provided to the apartment did not work.
“During the investigation, detectives identified Shikia Kenya Newell as the suspect. Investigators further determined that Newell used multiple identities to complete her fraudulent activity in other areas of Montgomery County to include, Aspen Hill, Bethesda and Rockville. It was also discovered that Newell had active arrest warrants throughout Maryland.
“On October 14, Newell was located at an apartment building in Rockville and arrested on the strength of an active arrest warrant.
“Newell was transported to the Central Processing Unit where she is being held without bond. Additional charges for this fraud investigation are forthcoming.”
Graphic and Photo Courtesy MCPD
