The Third Squad reports the arrest of a West Hempstead woman for a Burglary that occurred on Friday, July 17, 2026 at 3:03 p.m. in Hempstead.
According to detectives, a 49-year-old female victim states she had coordinated a rental agreement for a home located on Meadowbrook Road with a male and female subject. The female victim met with the subjects in person and provided first months rent and a security deposit totaling $7,000.00 USC. On Saturday, July 18, 2026 the female victim returned to the Meadowbrook Road residence to collect paperwork but was met with the actual homeowner, a 42-year-old male. He explained that he never rented the home to anyone but noticed the lockbox located outside of the home was damaged and the key to the home was missing from inside.
After a thorough investigation, on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 detectives located the female subject at 20 Hempstead Avenue in West Hempstead and defendant Aurelia Soogea, 39, of 357 Hempstead Turnpike was placed under arrest. During the investigation, defendant Soogea did provide the detectives with a fraudulent New York State driver’s license. The investigation is ongoing.
Defendant Soogea is being charged with Burglary 2nd degree, Grand Larceny 3rd degree, Possession of Foreign Instrument and Defraud 1st degree. She was arraigned on Thursday, August 20, 2026 at First District Court, 99 Main Street, Hempstead.
Detectives request that if anyone feels they may have been a victim of a similar incident, to please contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS or the Third Squad at 516-573-6353. All callers will remain anonymous.
***UPDATE***
William Fickbohm, 71, of 840 Taft Street, Lakeview, was arrested for the above incident. He was charged with Burglary 2nd Degree, Grand Larceny 3rd Degree, Possession of Forged Instrument and Defraud 1st Degree.
During the investigation it was determined that Soogea and Fickbohm were responsible for fraudulent residential rental scams in the following locations:
- West Hempstead
- East Meadow
- Hicksville
Soogea is responsible for an additional rental scam in Hicksville.
Fickbohm and Soogea are charged with multiple counts of Burglary 2nd Degree, Grand Larceny and Scheme to Defraud 1st Degree.
Defendant Soogea will be arraigned on Sunday, September 6, 2026 at First District Court, Hempstead.
Defendant Fickbohm was arraigned on 8/27/26 at First District Court, Hempstead.