Property Owner Loses Possession Of Vacant Home When Illegal Occupant Moves In, Shows Investigators A Signed Lease; Cops Wash Their Hands Of Incident, Say Its A Civil Matter

In Los Angeles, California, KTTV-TV Channel 11 reports:

• A homeowner in South LA is facing quite a battle. Laurie Horn says in the darkness of night, someone broke into her property and now they won't leave.
  
  That someone is Shanell Lathem, but she denies breaking into the house. Lathem says an unknown person rented her the property and she paid $2400 in cash.
  
  When the homeowner called the police, Lathem presented [them] with a signed lease. Officers then told the owner they wouldn't be able to help her because it's a civil matter.
  
  Horn says, "It can happen to anybody. It can happen to you, somebody can break into your house and say, 'I have a lease, oh, we’re a victim of fraud,' and then try getting them out!"
  
  So, where does it end? FOX 11 contacted the LA County Dept. of Consumer and Business Affairs and they say if anyone is facing this type of situation, they can help investigate.

For the story and video, see 'Get Out Of My House!' Squatter or fraud victim?