Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Squatters' Use Of Phony Lease Gets Trio Pinched For Burglary, Possession Of Forged Instrument In Connection With Attempted Possession-Hijacking Of Vacant Foreclosure

In Richmond, Kentucky, WKYT-TV Channel 27 reports:
  • For nearly two years, neighbors say this house on Bowerwood Drive has been empty after it went into foreclosure. Then, about three weeks ago, things changed.

    "We noticed some young folks kind of milling around the house. Before we knew it, they had moved in and claimed they were renting the house. We were kind of suspicious from day one," said Kelly Harmon.

    Another neighbor went over to say hi. He said the man living inside showed him a lease agreement. Even then, the neighbors weren't convinced. "We knew, more than likely, foreclosed houses don't get rented out," said Harmon. Then, they said things got stranger.

    "We never saw furniture moved in, they were in and out sporadically, different cars. It was suspicious from day one," said Harmon.

    Police said another neighbor called them and they looked into it. On May 3, they arrested Dylan Cartwright, Brittany Coovert, and Tiffany Templin. They said the three had created a fictitious lease agreement and charged them with burglary and possession of a forged instrument. Kelly Harmon said he'd be keeping a close eye on his neighborhood.