posted on October 25, 2004 08:34:26 AM
Imagine coming home from vacation and finding that a stranger had moved into your house and even redecorated it!
Vacation leads to home makeover by squatter
Stranger greets Georgia woman returning from trip
The Associated Press
Updated: 1:34 p.m. ET Oct. 22, 2004
DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. - 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 2½ 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 Oct. 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.
posted on October 25, 2004 01:13:11 PM
I read about that!
That is just unbelievable! With $23,000 worth of jewelry-it must have been a pretty nice house. Where were the neighbors when all of this was going on?
posted on October 25, 2004 01:52:59 PM
I saw this on ABC's Good Morning America. It was a really odd story, and the woman who "moved in" was even more strange. I thought she looked like a strung out drug addict from the 60's.
Here she is. Isn't she HOT!!!
Bigots are miserable people. Prevent Bigotry through Education.
posted on October 25, 2004 02:11:45 PM
This reminded me of "squatters rights" if such a thing really exists...This is not a reliable link...It's just funny.
"The first thing to do is to make it look more of a home than a squat. Getting some furniture and possessions inside helps a lot. If the police come by and see that you're cooking dinner, reading or watching television they're much more likely to buy an argument that you have permission to be there and are really tenants. If it obviously looks like a squat you're just crashing in for the night, they're likely to ignore their training and procedures and will be happy to haul you off to the station "and let god and a judge sort it out later" (as one officer told squatters).
The second thing to do is to get some utilities legally in your name and get some mail sent to your squat. At first, squatters often do whatever is necessary to get the electricity and water working, but once you have an idea the squat might be a solid one, it's a good idea to get them turned on legally in your name. This is relatively easy, since most utility companies don't assume you're squatting and won't ask for any proof of tenancy. You should also have some mail sent to you and arrange for services like telephones and cable TV if you can afford them. Doing all this will give you a fistful of paper to show the police and raise serious doubts in their mind as to whether or not you're actually a trespasser."
posted on October 25, 2004 04:00:41 PM
Aha, so we finally know the true identity of and the whereabouts of Crowfarm. Didja hear the rest of the story, it was on the CBS world news tonight They said that she was found at the computer typing away on an internet message board site but the most peculiar thing about her was that she was wearing an old pair of rubber manure boots.
posted on October 26, 2004 09:41:43 PM
This Beverly Valentine name was just a alias. The news said what her real name was. It was Linda..... something. I don't recall the last name, but I think it started with a K.
Bigots are miserable people. Prevent Bigotry through Education.
posted on October 26, 2004 10:05:42 PM
Wrong again Kraftdinner, I gave Crowfarm a pair of rubber manure boots in a thread in the past. I think I also gave her a rubber manure dress to match her rubber manure face.
Do I really have to go find that thread for you?? Wormshit.
posted on October 26, 2004 10:10:05 PM
Wormshit? Are you trying to tell me off or something? I didn't realize you gave her the whole manure outfit - I apologize for my error.
posted on October 26, 2004 10:14:41 PM
Wormshit, it was an expletive meant as an afterthought about having to go do a search for you. It wasn't meant to be taken that I was telling you off.
posted on October 26, 2004 10:24:08 PM
How did a humorous thread descend into personal insults? Why is it that this happens with almost every thread?
____________________
"Bad temper is its own scourge. Few things are more bitter than to feel bitter. A man's venom poisons himself more than his victim." --Charles Buxton
Prevent Bigotry through Education.
They said that she was found at the computer typing away on an internet message board site but the most peculiar thing about her was that she was wearing an old pair of rubber manure boots.
