Summit County Sheriff deputies responded last weekend to two similar cases, in different locations. The reports involved rental units where people were squatting uninvited.
The Sheriff’s department reported they responded to an address in the Jeremy Ranch area on Friday, March 1st. The absentee owner had told dispatch that a former property manager and cleaner may have allowed squatters to stay in the residence.
Sheriff’s Lt. Andrew Wright said part of the residence was used for long-term rentals, and another section for shorter rentals. The deputy, on arrival, made contact with the long-term renter. As they walked through the residence, an unknown male exited from a bedroom in the short-term section.
The report said the squatter had evidently moved in since February 26th, when the previous authorized renter moved out. Lt. Wright said the deputy found the fridge was filled with food, clothes were in the closets and dog feces was found on the floor.
The incident report said that another person cleaned the house, and the squatters returned to collect their belongings. An investigation is continuing, while deputies have added the residence to their property watch schedule.
On Saturday the 2nd, a property manager for a nightly rental at the Canyons reported checking a condo the previous day, after a customer had left, and found it was undamaged and vacant. But when she returned on Saturday, she found bags, drinks in the refrigerator and clothing. That included a duffel bag with luggage tags and an ID and phone number for a male out of Seattle.
There was no sign of forced entry and a records check didn’t show the unit had been rented for Saturday. Officers called the phone number on the luggage and left a message. The belongings were taken to the Sheriff’s office for safekeeping.
Lt. Wright said although the incidents are very similar, there is no connection between the two cases.
