What if you were on vacation... - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

grendel · 10-25-2004, 06:43 PM

...and you came back to find a stranger had moved into your house?

crazy stuff!

http://edition.cnn.com/2004/US/10/22....ap/index.html

apologies if this has already been posted. i did a quick search and didn't see anything...

bernadette · 10-25-2004, 09:16 PM

i saw this on the televison news this morning. CraZy!!

macsmith230 · 10-27-2004, 10:12 PM

I've seen this story around for a week or so (or however long it's been out) but I never read the actual article until now. It is mega-super creepy that this happened. I mean, I guess I'd just call the police first, but just imagining coming home and seeing the lights on and a strange car in the driveway and knowing someone was in your place...I can't even imagine.

I wonder if she made any improvements to the place.

bernadette · 10-27-2004, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macsmith230

I wonder if she made any improvements to the place.

whether it be qualified as improvements or not... the odd woman did install tile down the hallway & into a bedroom. i saw the footage on television. just too weird. 2 & a half weeks & all hell breaks loose...

i have not heard any follow up stories as to WHY she did all of this. she has to be a mental case. no doubt about it.

Crack · 10-28-2004, 12:40 AM

For those of us to lazy to click on a link...

Quote:

DOUGLASVILLE, Georgia (AP) -- A woman came home from vacation to find a stranger living there, wearing her clothes, changing utilities into her name and even ripping out carpet and repainting a room she didn't like, authorities said.

Douglas County authorities say they can't explain why Beverly Valentine, 54, broke into an empty home and started acting like it was her own.

During the 21/2 weeks the owner, Beverly Mitchell, was on vacation in Greece, Valentine allegedly redecorated the ranch home, ripping up carpet and taking down the owner's pictures and replacing them with her own.

Mitchell was a complete unknown to Valentine, said Chief Sheriff's Deputy Stan Copeland. He said he had no idea how Valentine knew Mitchell was gone.

"In 28 years, I've never seen something this strange," Copeland said.

Valentine was being held in Douglas County Jail on a $25,000 bond, Copeland said. If convicted, she could face one to 20 years in prison. Copeland said Friday that he believed Valentine did not have a lawyer.

The case came to light when Mitchell, who lived alone, returned home October 4 to find the lights on and a strange car parked in the driveway. Mitchell called police, who went in and found Valentine, who at first pretended she was renting the home.

Later, Copeland said, she admitted she broke into the house with a shovel and was squatting there. She was charged with burglary.

Authorities found a gun and $23,000 worth of Mitchell's jewelry in Valentine's car.

Valentine had the electricity switched over to her name and moved in a washer and dryer and her dog.

Copeland said she was even wearing some of Mitchell's clothes.

"There's a lot of people saying, 'What?"' Copeland said.

Valentine was asked what to do with the washer and dryer she moved in, and Valentine said she didn't care, so police will leave it up to Mitchell what to do with them, Copeland said.

My question is why have the electricity switched over to her name, does she like paying bills? You are squating in a empty house, but want to pay the bills?

Irishsean · 10-28-2004, 12:44 AM

I'd probably wander down the street to my brothers house, call the cops from there, then pick up a shotgun and make sure noone left until they got there.

FatherTed · 10-28-2004, 12:52 AM

That is so wierd.
I suppose she moved the utilities over to strengthen her 'renting' story. Trouble is her story still had so many holes in it, there was not a chance she could pull it off.

grendel · 10-28-2004, 02:36 AM

crack, if you're gonna post the article, you could at least include the picture of the "squatter"...

good idea on posting the text. next time i'll post the text and the link.

10-25-2004, 06:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
grendel Psycho	What if you were on vacation... ...and you came back to find a stranger had moved into your house? crazy stuff! http://edition.cnn.com/2004/US/10/22....ap/index.html apologies if this has already been posted. i did a quick search and didn't see anything...

10-25-2004, 09:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
bernadette ::::::::::::::::::::::::: :. Location: this ain't kansas, toto	i saw this on the televison news this morning. CraZy!! __________________ .:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.

10-28-2004, 12:44 AM	#6 (permalink)
Irishsean edited for content Location: Austin, TX	I'd probably wander down the street to my brothers house, call the cops from there, then pick up a shotgun and make sure noone left until they got there. __________________ There are no absolute rules of conduct, either in peace or war. Everything depends on circumstances. Leon Trotsky

10-27-2004, 10:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
macsmith230 Tilted Location: Portland, Oregon	I've seen this story around for a week or so (or however long it's been out) but I never read the actual article until now. It is mega-super creepy that this happened. I mean, I guess I'd just call the police first, but just imagining coming home and seeing the lights on and a strange car in the driveway and knowing someone was in your place...I can't even imagine. I wonder if she made any improvements to the place.

10-28-2004, 12:52 AM	#7 (permalink)
FatherTed Crazy Location: Ireland	That is so wierd. I suppose she moved the utilities over to strengthen her 'renting' story. Trouble is her story still had so many holes in it, there was not a chance she could pull it off.

10-28-2004, 02:36 AM	#8 (permalink)
grendel Psycho	crack, if you're gonna post the article, you could at least include the picture of the "squatter"... good idea on posting the text. next time i'll post the text and the link.