More Alleging They Were Victimized By Man Accused Of Illegally Renting Out East Charlotte Homes

Police say many more people have come forward claiming they are victims of a man accused of scamming people by taking deposits for homes he was supposed to rent to them, but which he doesn’t even own.

Darryl Patterson was arrested on Friday and charged with obtaining property by false pretense. Investigators said more charges will likely be filed.

On Monday, Eyewitness News talked with the owner of the homes, who said she’s hurt that the man who had been living in one of her houses for two years and looking after several others she owns, was going behind her and renting them out to several people at once.

“I had no idea, as God is my secret judge!” Maudestine Tidwell exclaimed.

Some of those who said they paid hundreds of dollars up front to Patterson in order to move into the homes were there as Patterson was arrested, and they clapped and shouted in joy and anger.

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Now it appears those incidents, which renters say involved two east Charlotte homes, are just the beginning of the questionable real estate dealings of Patterson. He was also renting out a third home two doors down from the green house he lives in on Santa Cruz Trail, according to real estate agent Carol Fogle.

Fogle said her cousin has been living in that home and paying rent directly to Patterson, and she now wonders if the homeowner, who lives in New York, knows anything about it.

“She's terrified to say the least. She's very worried, not knowing if she's not going to have anywhere to go, like all those other victims,” Fogle said.

Also feeling duped is Charlene Wright, who said Patterson told her he was an ordained preacher. Wright said she was renting from Tidwell with Patterson as the go-between. She said it turns out that while she was at work, he was bringing people through her home and offering to rent it to them. She said he claimed it was furnished because he was allowing a homeless woman to stay there, but she would be leaving soon.

“We didn't have any idea until the day (he was found out). We found out he was doing my home and several others around here,” she said.

Wright said Patterson conned her from the beginning, charging her three times the deposit that Tidwell actually asked for.

But Tidwell may be the one that’s hurt the most though, knowing others say they were hurt by a man she wishes she’d never trusted.

“I'm truly sorry he would treat anyone like that because I also thought he was a good guy,” she said.

Investigators are still looking for other possible victims. Police say if you’ve had any dealings with Patterson, please give them a call.