Desperate Realtors: Looting fixtures from listings not smart business practice

The Arizona real estate market is in tough shape, and apparently one Maricopa County agent just couldn't generate enough business to make ends meet.

The Arizona Republic reports that Kailash Bhatt has been indicted by a grand jury on charges that he stole fixtures out of foreclosed homes he was charged with selling -- and then attempted to resell them on Craigslist. I guess he could always say "Hey! People have done much worse things on Craigslist!"

According to the Republic, "Bhatt was arrested after accepting $2,000 of a deal totaling $9,000 from an undercover FBI Mortgage Task Force agent posing as a buyer, the report said. On his website, Bhatt promises prospective clients that "We will identify best value and save thousands of dollars by either identifying the right properties. We will work tirelessly on your behalf to make your next home buying or home selling experience a pleasant and successful." (sic)

Hmm. . . If the allegations are in fact true, Bhatt will have earned himself a place in the hall of fame of stupid criminals. Why would you steal stuff from a vacant foreclosed house when you're the real estate agent, one of the few people who has a key? According to the report, Bhatt stole kitchen cabinets, a granite counter top, a double oven, microwave and dishwasher

Did he really think people wouldn't notice a missing granite counter top?