A former New Jersey firefighter and son of a councilwoman and another man have been charged with illegally renting out homes under foreclosure through Craigslist.

Terrence Ward and Adam Kull were arrested and charged this week in the alleged scheme by Winslow Township Police.

Investigators said the men would advertise Winslow Township, New Jersey homes for rent on Craigslist, show prospective renters the property and then collect security deposits and first months rent and allow them to move in.

Ward, 35, and Kull, 34, didn't own or manage the properties, however.

The men would find vacant homes that were in the final stages of foreclosure to rent out, police said.

Ward would handle communication with the potential tenants and both men would show off properties, according to police.

Police said they've been investigating the scam since it was reported to them in July when a homeowner found strangers living in their vacant home. Since then, police received several more complaints from residents.

Detectives had been searching for Ward for several days. A warrant was issued for his arrest on Wednesday. His mother, Judy Ward, is a councilwoman in Pleasantville declined to comment at the time, but said she didn't believe the charges were true "because of his integrity."

Both men are charged with burglary, theft and conspiracy and are being held on bail in the county prison.