Landlord Scams Tenants by Starting Fights, Evicting Renters, Police Say

A St. Charles landlord is accused of assaulting his tenants to get them removed from his property and then keeping the rent and deposit money.

St. Charles Police said Charles McKee, 50, of the 1100 block of Howell Street in St. Charles, “established a pattern of scamming his tenants for the rent and deposit money, using the same scenario each time.”

St. Charles Police said McKee intentionally instigated a fight by chasing his tenant down the hallway Dec. 10 by pushing and chest-butting the man. McKee then called police to get the resident removed from his property.

Police said McKee intended to keep the $400 in rent and $200 in deposit money. Officers said he did the same thing to tenants on July 30 and Sept. 15.

Police wrote in a report: “Shortly after collecting rent money and a deposit from the tenant, McKee threatens and becomes physically violent with the tenant. He then calls the police and demands the tenant be made to leave. Each time, he assures police the tenant will be returned their deposit and reimbursed the unused portion of their rent.”

However, each of the former tenants reported to police that McKee did not return their rent or deposit money.

McKee was charged Tuesday with three counts of third-degree assault. Bail was set at $2,000, cash only.

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