TRENTON, Mich. -- Police are looking for a man accused of scamming dozens of downriver apartment tenants out of their rent money.

Police said Paulo DiMaggio, the former maintenance man at the Morningside Apartments on Marie Street in Trenton stole more than $100,000 from more than 60 tenants.

For months, DiMaggio convinced the residents to pay their rent to him and he would relay the payments. Sometimes, he promised discounts and deals in exchange for cash payments, said tenants.

"He didn't say money order, or a check. He said bring cash. I thought it was kind of odd but I need a place to stay," said a duped Christopher Davis.

Davis had been paying DiMaggio $550 for his rent, when it was really only $500, he said.

Morningside Apartment resident Dave Galloway said he never paid DiMaggio.

"I didn't know it was a scam. I just know I'm not going to pay the rent to anybody but the box or landlord," he said.

Dozens of evictions were under way, but before the tenants were booted, most were able to prove to authorities that they thought they were legitimately paying their rent.

The Morningside Apartment building owners said they too were a victim of DiMaggio's scam because they lost income that would have gone to pay for the building's mortgage. The building has slipped into foreclosure.

DiMaggio, who sometimes goes by the alias name of Paul Agusa, was also able to convince local stores to cash money orders and checks made out to the apartment building owners, according to investigators.

Detectives discovered the scams in December and arrested DiMaggio. But shortly before his arraignment, police said he faked a heart attack and was taken to an area hospital.

He escaped from the hospital and has not been found.

DiMaggio is wanted for similar crimes in Oakland and Macomb counties.

Police said they believe DiMaggio remains in the area because he has family members who are business owners nearby.