UPDATED: Craigslist Rental Scam Suspect Jayson Fallis In Custody

Craigslist rental scam suspect pleaded not guilty today in Salem District Court to eight counts of larceny over $250 by single scheme.

Judge Michael Lauranzano ordered Fallis held on $100,000 cash bail and continued the case until December 14 for a pre-trial hearing.

Fallis was taken into custody by Salem Police at approximately 10:35 a.m. Friday.

Essex Assistant District Attorney Matthew Hemond told the court that Fallis allegedly placed an ad on Craigslist for an apartment rental at 11 Boston Street in Salem - even though it was not his to rent. Fallis had been living in the apartment until recently.

In a statement, said it was "a private citizen who heard about the case in the news and approached a Salem officer this (Friday) morning with his whereabouts."

Officials said he was hiding out in an apartment when he was caught, after trying to convince police he was in another city.

During the investigation, police have interviewed approximately 10 victims who said they , toured the apartment with someone they assumed to be the landlord and then gave a deposit.

Police allege Fallis was posing as a landlord after several victims identified him as the suspect in photographs.

When the victims tried to call the landlord, the number was disconnected, and when they went to the apartment they believed they would be renting, some found a note on the door saying they should go to the police because the scam had happened before.

Fallis allegedly collected payments between $500 and $2,000 for the apartment in eight instances, totaling more than $11,000, according to the Essex County District Attorney's Office.

On Wednesday, police said Fallis allegedly took .

On Thursday night, police seized the suspect's Mercedes in Swampscott.

Prosecutor Hemond told the court that some of the victims now have no place to live as a result of the alleged scam. A local woman is in the process of s.