Squatter moved into Florida home and was even driving the owner’s luxury car, cops say

An out-of-state property owner found a squatter was not only living in his Florida vacation home, but was driving his car and set up a PlayStation device in the bedroom, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

The accused squatter was arrested Thursday, Oct. 26, at the Fort Myers home, after being confronted by the owner, the sheriff’s office said in a news release. Fort Myers is about 125 miles south of Tampa.

“This nightmarish encounter was made after the homeowner received notification from their home’s smart thermostat that the temperature inside the home was changed,” the sheriff’s office said.

“The homeowner became suspicious and decided to check in on their property. While doing so, they witnessed (a man) driving their car and parking it in the garage. Immediately, the homeowner blocked (the man) from leaving the garage and called 911.”

“Multiple neighbors” surrounded the 25-year-old suspect to keep him from leaving before deputies arrived, according to an arrest report.

An investigation revealed he broke into the residence via a front window, then “made himself at home using the homeowner’s car, cooking in their kitchen, and connecting a PlayStation device in the bedroom,” officials said.

Investigators say a search of the car, a Lincoln MKX, revealed the suspect was returning to the home after buying groceries at Publix and picking up a cable TV box, the report states.

He was arrested and charged with burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, grand theft of a motor vehicle and larceny/grand theft of over $750 and less than $5,000, jail records show. He remained in custody Oct. 31.

Investigators did not reveal how long the man is suspected of living in the home. The property owner reported he had been out of state “the last few months” and began receiving alerts about thermostat changes two days before deciding to investigate.

Lee County has a program called “Vacation Home Check” that enables property owners to arrange for increased patrols when homes are unoccupied for six months or less, the sheriff’s office said.

This story was originally published October 31, 2023 at 9:03 AM with the headline "Squatter moved into Florida home and was even driving the owner’s luxury car, cops say."