Posted on 05/01/2025 6:02:50 PM PDT by simpson96
CHICAGO (WLS) -- A woman accused of squatting in a Chicago home has been arrested and charged.
The development comes after an ABC7 I-team investigation and exclusive interview with the frustrated homeowners.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch The I-Team has been covering alleged squatting cases for several weeks.
The South Side case got a lot of reaction from ABC7 viewers. A Chicago couple called the I-Team for help after discovering a stranger and her family moved into their home, claiming to be the owner of the property.
Now, that woman has been arrested and is facing four charges.
"They finally got these people out," homeowner Marcia Lee said.
It's been a month since Marcia and Carlton Lee have been inside their South Side property. They called the I-Team in early April, claiming a woman named "Stacy," her family and their dog moved in and wouldn't leave.
The couple said when they arrived with police, the woman inside claimed she was the new owner and had so-called mortgage documents to prove her purchase.
The couple said police wouldn't arrest the woman because it was a civil matter. But after doing some digging, the couple said they got a call from a CPD detective informing them they'd be taking a closer look at the case.
"I knew the ID was fake," Marcia Lee said. I knew the documentation was fake. I'm just super excited that they finally got her out."
The woman, whose real name is Shermaine Powell-Gillard, was arrested and charged with forgery and burglary, two felonies.
She was also charged with obstructing identification and criminal residential trespassing.
"They are gone, vacated and it brings peace to my household," Carlton Lee said. "That's what I need."
Their home is boarded up for now to make sure no one else can break in, but the couple let the ABC7 I-Team inside.
Lots of trash was left behind, and several repairs are needed throughout the home. But the couple is relieved to have their house back-and will be putting it back on the market in the coming weeks.
Just the other day I was wondering what would happen if you were burglarizing a home when the owners drove up and rather than running away, you just grabbed the TV remote and plopped on the couch and said “Hi I live here”.
Would it keep you from being caught for burglary and shift it to a case of how to get rid of you, could there even be a payoff to get you to leave.
Did she pee or poop? What’s the law?
Putting the MUG into the Mugshot!
She ‘looks’ as though she yells a lot.
Another cousin of Obeyme.
Who is the owner of the house and what is there connection to Brandon Johnson or the state swamp. Squatters don’t get removed from little folks.
THAT’S the way to deal with squatters.
Squatting is theft, plain and simple.
If Simone Biles had an aunt.
5 ways to protect your home, vacant property from squatters: 'Don't want to make a home a target'
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