A Florida police officer was arrested for allegedly stealing a dead man’s house following a welfare check. Brian Louis Sguros was arrested on Tuesday, October 20, in Lauderhill and charged with multiple felonies.
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Florida Cop Brian Louis Sguros Allegedly Steals Dead Man’s House
Florida police officer Brian Louis Sguros was arrested for allegedly stealing a dead man’s home after conducting a welfare check. Sguros was arrested in Lauderhill and charged with multiple felonies after being accused of stealing the man’s house, according to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office.
Sguros was a police officer with the Lauderhill Police Department in 2022, when he conducted a welfare check at the home of Dennis West, 4551 N.W. 12th Street. After finding West deceased, he allegedly pretended to be a friend at the Broward County Medical Examiner’s Office. Per reports, he told the office that West had no family living, which was false. The Florida police officer allegedly went on to use West’s I.D. to get a city permit, renovate the home, and even paid taxes in West’s name. Furthermore, Sguros allegedly obtained information on West by using law enforcement databases — including his social security number. It is reported that he forged West’s signature to make it look as though he were alive.
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“Sguros paid the taxes and utilities at the home in West’s name and used West’s identification to make it appear that West was still alive to get the city of Lauderhill to issue a permit to facilitate repairs,” reads the police report. “The BSO detective overseeing the investigation indicated that Sguros also forged West’s signature on the permit. Through the investigation, detectives said they found instances where Sguros used his access to law enforcement databases to obtain information about West.”
Brian Louis Sguros Charged With Multiple Felonies
According to documents completed by Sguros, he took possession of West’s house after the 71-year-old was found dead from natural causes in July 2022, per NBC News.
Sguros was arrested and charged with official misconduct as well as criminal use of deceased personal identification. In addition, the Florida police officer was charged with offense against computer use, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and criminal use of personal identification information, per the Broward County Sheriff’s Office. His bond was set at $25,000.
Florida Police Officer Allegedly Spent More Than $200,000 Renovating Home
Not only did Sguros allegedly steal West’s house and renovate the property, but he also claims to have spent $214,000 doing so. He reportedly claimed he took over the property as a public courtesy, saying it was hazardous. In addition, he cited his desire to keep squatters and other criminal activity off the property.
Furthermore, Sguros allegedly lied to a contractor hired to replace windows and doors at the property. The company’s project manager recalled the Florida police officer telling him that the homeowner was “unavailable,” per NBC News.
A neighbor later said she was surprised to see the 35-year-old move into West’s home after seeing him during the welfare check, according to CBS News Miami.
“He took over his house,” the neighbor said. “He used his information… his identity… why and how did he get the house so quick?”
Sguros reportedly was caught after a real estate company bought the House from West’s family months later via probate. He later filed a complaint against the company to recover his $214,000. Subsequently, the company’s attorney contacted the Lauderhill Police Department.
