Lauderhill cop resigns, days after arrest for allegedly trying to steal dead man’s home

Broward County admin October 28, 2026 0 Comments

Lauderhill cop resigns, days after arrest for allegedly trying to steal dead man’s home

Days after a Lauderhill police officer was arrested for allegedly trying to steal a dead man’s home by pretending to be him, the officer stepped down from the police department before the city finalized his firing, authorities say.

Brian Louis Sguros, 35, is facing charges of public servant falsifying an official document, using the personal ID of the deceased, using ID of another without consent, using a computer to defraud and obtain property and using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, records show.

The Lauderhill Police Department began an Internal Affairs investigation into Sguros the same day a complaint was made alleging his fraud scheme in late May, the agency said.

READ MORE: Lauderhill cop in cuffs after trying to take dead man’s identity, steal his home: BSO

In July, a criminal investigation was opened, prompting Lauderhill to put Sguros on paid administrative leave. Once Sguros was officially charged and arrested on Oct. 20, he was immediately placed on administrative leave without pay.

The City of Lauderhill began Sguros’ termination process, police said. However, Sguros resigned before the City could officially fire him.

“The trust of our residents is the foundation of everything we do,” said Lauderhill Police Chief Constance Stanley in a statement. “When residents call us, they are inviting us into their homes and their lives at their most vulnerable moments, and they must be able to trust that every officer who answers that call is there solely to serve them.”

Scheme to steal a home

In July 2022, Sguros was a backup officer on a welfare check of Dennis West, 71, at his Lauderhill home, the Broward Sheriff’s Office said. West was dead inside from natural causes.

Sguros allegedly began his scheme soon after involving himself in “West’s post-death affairs,” deputies said. He told the Broward County Medical Examiner’s Office he was West’s friend; he was not.

Sgruos began to pay the taxes and utilities of West’s home in his name, using his identification to make it seem like he was still alive.

He officially told the Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office in February 2025 that he was in possession of West’s home dating back to just weeks after his death.

In May, the Lauderhill police department received a complaint and through an investigation revealed Sgruos “took possession of [West’s] home without any legal right to it…,” the agency said.

The Broward Sheriff’s Office and Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office’s Crimes Against Property Unit were given the case to look further into, which lead to Sgruos arrest.