Tennessee Man Accused of Buying 3 Homes for $10 Each Faces Serious Charges
In a city where the housing market is hotter than a Memphis summer, one man allegedly thought he'd discovered a shortcut — right into handcuffs. Authorities say 34-year-old Stuart Breakstone didn't just find three homes for a bargain price; he allegedly made his own deal with a pen, some forged signatures, and a little too much creativity.
What Police Say Happened
The story began in September 2024 when a Memphis homeowner filed a startling police report. She discovered she was no longer listed as the owner of her house. Even more bizarre, paperwork filed with the Shelby County Register's Office allegedly showed the property had been transferred — with her forged signature — for a mere $10.
By December, investigators received two additional reports from homeowners who found themselves mysteriously displaced in a similar fashion. Each case allegedly involved forged documents, listing the sale price as $10.
Who Is Accused?
Police identified Breakstone as the primary suspect behind the operation. According to reports, he allegedly didn't stop at property deeds. Breakstone was also linked to a separate case of identity theft involving a stolen driver's license and Social Security card used to open a fake bank account.
Officials claim surveillance footage captured Breakstone and a woman, later identified as Rebecca Tuttle, at the Shelby County Register's Office completing the suspicious filings.
What the Charges Are
Breakstone was arrested on April 14, 2025, on multiple charges, including theft of property over $250,000, forgery, identity theft, and unlawfully drawing a property transfer document without an interest in the property.
Authorities say he even managed to sell one of the allegedly stolen homes — valued at $157,000 — for just $82,000.
As of now, it's unclear if Breakstone has entered a plea or hired an attorney.
What Comes Next?
While the alleged scheme might sound like the setup for a bad sitcom — "Three Homes and a $10 Bill" — authorities are treating the matter seriously. Homeownership represents not just a major investment, but a core piece of people's lives and security. Allegations like these highlight just how vulnerable property owners can be to fraud, even in a system built on notarized documents and official records.
References:He Bought 3 Homes for $10 Each: Why Does a Tenn. Man Face Charges? | Man arrested after allegedly buying 3 homes for $10 each, police say | Man schemes to buy 3 homes for $10 each, charged with fraud, police say | Tennessee swindlers forged docs to steal homes for $10 before selling for massive profit
