Georgia Police Reveal Big Mistake Squatters Made That Led To Arrests, Raid At $500K Mansion

Six squatters were apprehended by Georgia police over the weekend for unlawfully occupying a residence worth half a million dollars after stealing a neighbor’s vehicle.

The Daily Mail reported that South Fulton law enforcement officers intervened at 4300 Caveat Court, recovering the pilfered automobile on Saturday. 

Police also discovered the squatters’ five-month unauthorized stay within the premises.

Visual evidence depicts law enforcement personnel handcuffing the trespassers and seating them on the pavement outside the residence.

Authorities said the property at 4300 Caveat Court, valued at approximately $518,400 per Zillow, was intended to be unoccupied. 

Mel Keyton, president of the Hampton Oaks Homeowners Association, relayed to Atlanta News First that the neighbor whose vehicle was stolen was absent from the locale.

“Squatters stole her car and they brought it back over here to drive it in the driveway,” Keyton asserted.

Kendra Snorton, Vice President of the Hampton Oaks Homeowners Association, informed FOX 5 Atlanta that the squatters had taken up residence in the vacant abode on Christmas Day.

“The ringleader, we see him walking his dog all the time. He’s very courteous and polite when he interacts with the community,” Snorton remarked.

“When the police showed up, the car was behind us in the yard. That’s how we put two and two together,” Keyton disclosed. “We don’t know who these people are and what they are doing.”

The police department confirmed to Daily Mail that the purloined vehicle had been returned to its rightful owner.

“We sincerely appreciate the vigilance of our community members, who play a vital role in our ongoing efforts to reduce crime in our city,” the police remarked.

Daily Mail adds that residents in South Fulton are optimistic about the implications of a recent legislative development aimed at addressing the persistent issue of squatters in their community. 

No longer will authorities have to wait for criminal acts like vehicle theft before taking action against unauthorized occupants.

“Hopefully, it won’t get this bad. Hopefully, we won’t have to use this amount of police,” remarked Keyton, reflecting a sentiment echoed by many in the neighborhood.

Governor Brian Kemp ratified House Bill 1017 last month, which is dubbed the Georgia Squatter Reform Act, marking a pivotal step in combating unlawful occupancy. 

Unauthorized entry and residence on property without consent is classified as unlawful squatting under the legislation, thus establishing a clear legal framework to address the issue.

Offenders must furnish proof of consent within a three-day window per the new law, failure of which warrants arrest for criminal trespassing. Even with documentation, accused squatters are mandated to appear in a magistrate court within seven days to validate the legitimacy of their authorization.

The law, effective July, designates squatting as a misdemeanor, imposing penalties of up to a $1,000 fine and a maximum one-year jail term, or both. 

Instances of false swearing or submission of fraudulent documents also escalate to felony charges, signifying a stricter stance on deceptive practices.

Individuals found guilty of submitting false documentation face fines covering damages and back rent based on the property’s fair market value, alongside potential incarceration for up to a year.

Resist The Mainstream has reported on the nationwide surge of squatting cases causing distress among homeowners.

Democratic Senator Fetterman slammed the idea that squatters should be allowed to occupy someone else’s home last month, saying, “Squatters have no rights.”

“How can you even pretend that this is anything other than you’re just breaking the law?” he said.

“It’s wild, that if you go away on a long trip, for 30 days, and someone breaks into your home and suddenly they have rights,” Fetterman continued. “This is crazy. Like if somebody stole your car, and then they held it for 30 days, then somehow you now have some rights?”

Democratic Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs faced backlash two weeks ago after she made the decision to veto a bill designed to bolster the rights of homeowners seeking to evict squatters from their properties.

This action came despite the bill receiving bipartisan support and amidst a surge of squatting cases causing distress among homeowners nationwide.

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