A homeowner in New York City was arrested after attempting to evict squatters who allegedly took over a home that was left to her after her parents passed away.
Adele Andaloro, 47, was recently arrested inside her Queens property after changing the locks on the home. The property owner placed the home on the market last month, which is when she realized squatters had moved in and changed the locks,
Mind-numbing video filmed by ABC 7 began with an interview outside the home in which Andaloro explained the situation. She then noticed that a woman who was squatting in the home had left the door open, at which point both the property owner and the news crew entered the home.
Once inside, Andaloro pointed out that her personal items were being used by two men who were illegally occupying the $1 million home. “This is proving everything I said, this is my furniture, these are my curtains,” Andaloro said as she entered.
The squatters reportedly called the police on the property owner as she was demanding that they leave the home. Officers then arrived on the scene and asked the men if they had proof that they had been living in the home for more than 30 days. Under New York City law, a person can claim squatters rights if they have lived in a residence for more than 30 days.
“By the time someone does their investigation, their work, and their job, it will be over 30 days and this man will still be in my home,” Andaloro told the news crew.
The two responding police officers then escorted the men outside while Andaloro presented them with the deed to the house. Before the officers left, they warned the property owner that she could face criminal charges if she changed the locks or shut off utilities, which is illegal to do if an occupant claims they are a tenant.
“I may end up in handcuffs today if a man shows up here and says I have illegally evicted him,” Andaloro said. “I said, ‘Let him take me to court as I’ve been told to take him to court’ because today I’m not leaving my house.”
A locksmith eventually showed up and changed the locks. Less than 30 minutes later one of the squatters, who identified himself as Brian Rodriguez, barged into the home alongside the other man who had just been escorted away by police.
The officers soon returned and informed Andaloro that she had no right to evict the squatters. She was then placed in handcuffs and hauled off to jail.
Rodriguez told the outlet that he signed a lease for the home through a relator, but did not identify the relator or provide a copy of the lease, according to ABC 7. He did present receipts for work he claimed was done on the home and said he would leave if he was reimbursed.
“It’s enraging,” Andaloro told the news crew. “It’s not fair that I, as the homeowner, have to be going through this.”