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21st March 2024
01:07pm GMT
A 47-year-old woman who owns a home in the Queens suburb of New York was arrested after she confronted a group of squatters who had broken into her home.
Adele Andolaro was in the process of selling her $1 million childhood home in the Flushing neighbourhood when she noticed that a group of homeless people had invaded her unoccupied house and were now living there.
After several attempts at asking the trio to leave, and changing the locks in the hope that they wouldn't get back in, the homeowner was arrested after one of the illegal inhabitants of the property called the police.
Days later, two men described by the New York Post as 'vigilantes', pulled up to the property in a truck and confronted the squatters.
Speaking to press at the scene, one of the men (who was reportedly wearing a black Trump t-shirt) said: "We are looking to get this guy out. I am here to talk to him."
Neighbours on the street spoke of their shock and disappointment that this ordeal was playing out right next door.
Kosta, a 24-year-old college student who lives with his family next to the squatters house, told New York Post that he remembered the former owners - and said he has been 'on edge' since the trespassers arrived a few weeks ago.
The neighbour added: "They are doing construction on the house all night long.
"I heard a drill and saw through my window that they were drilling holes into the wall and putting up boards. I don't know if the board is still there, but it looked like they were trying to hide what was inside.
"We all know what they are up to, so we're all kind of pissed about it," Kosta said.
The law in New York City states that a person only needs to be living at a property for 30 days to claim squatter’s rights.
The city’s law was partially made in response to vacant and abandoned buildings that were becoming a blight on the city.
In order for a property owner to get rid of a squatter, they must send a 10-day eviction notice and then file a court complaint if the order is ignored. If approved by a judge, the owner can get a summons and have a sheriff evict the squatter.
According to locals, Andaloro was living in the house with her daughter and mom.
When her mother passed away a few years ago, she stayed in the house and rented out the basement to an older man and his dog, who was said to be a beloved member of the community.
When the man moved out of state, Andaloro put the house on the market.
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