- 6 hours ago
Squatters - Season 1 - Episode 04: The Path Of Least Resistance
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:07Guys just stay on me. I'm going to take over this house.
00:10Why are you in my house?
00:11Hey, we're roommates now.
00:13You guys can get out of my house, so go.
00:15You are not a lawful tenant. You have something to hide.
00:18This is not happening.
00:19Hey, is this your bedroom? Is this your bedroom?
00:21Tell you what, this room is your room now.
00:23The rest of the house is mine.
00:27I'm Flash Shelton.
00:29In 2019, squatters took over my mom's home.
00:32The sheriff couldn't get them out, so I did.
00:36Turns out my family is not alone.
00:38Across America, thousands of homeowners get locked out when a squatter moves in.
00:43Now my team and I, we're coming in, travel across the country,
00:46confronting these squatters face to face.
00:50We're not going anywhere to help families get their homes back.
00:53Go back the up out of my face, dog.
00:55Get out of line up.
01:03I'm here just outside of Clay Ellum, Washington, and it's beautiful out here.
01:09Perfect remote location for a squatter to dig in.
01:13Here she is on the left, it looks like.
01:18Hi.
01:19Hi.
01:19I'm Casey.
01:20Flash.
01:20Hi. Nice to meet you.
01:21Very nice.
01:21Oh, my God.
01:22Very nice to meet you.
01:23Thank you so much for coming.
01:24Oh.
01:25So this house right up here with the lights on?
01:27Yes.
01:28Okay.
01:29I bought this house in 2020 and we just fell in love.
01:35This was going to be our dream house with my daughter and husband.
01:40We love it here and it's a really safe neighborhood.
01:43We spent about two and a half years remodeling the house from outside in.
01:48We live in Seattle and literally just finished construction and plans were for us to move in.
01:54And now I don't know what to do.
01:56So tell me, how did this happen to you?
01:59I was at lunch one day and I got a call from a contractor that they said,
02:03hey, are you the homeowner?
02:04And I said, yes.
02:05And they said, oh, we just got a call from some lady that said they're the homeowner.
02:08And I said, what?
02:09I'm sorry, I'm the owner.
02:10No, you're mistaken.
02:11So I immediately drive out to my house and this woman I've never seen before,
02:17she answers the door.
02:19And I said, you know, hi, I'm the homeowner.
02:22This is my home.
02:23You know, who are you?
02:25She slammed the door in my face.
02:27What did you do after that?
02:29I called the police and they said that there's nothing they can do because this is a civil matter.
02:34I just feel shock and panic and completely violated.
02:39I can't believe that somebody else has taken over our home,
02:41has all the rights and we can do essentially nothing about it.
02:45I just feel sick to my stomach.
02:47You know, squatters aren't moving into old rundown neighborhoods now.
02:51Some squatters find remote locations like this one with beautiful, luxurious homes.
03:07Do you know her name?
03:08Um, the contractor told me her name is Mary Alice Wiggins.
03:13So you know what?
03:14I'm going to text my son her name so that he can get started on looking into Mary Alice Wiggins.
03:23This was something Casey and her family were not prepared for.
03:27I can tell in her eyes, her voice, she needs our help.
03:32This squatter does not actually have a lease with the owner.
03:35So as a first step, I'm having her sign a lease agreement with me.
03:39So I will have the legal right to occupy her home.
03:42I assure you, I'm going to be doing everything I can for you.
03:45Thank you. You're all we have and I just don't know what else to do.
03:50We start with gathering intel.
03:52This is a big location. It's a big lot.
03:56We're going to send up our drone and get a lay of the land
03:59while we wait for more information to come in about this squatter.
04:11All right, let's get this drone up.
04:13I want to get some eyes on this house. Let's see if she's in there.
04:16Okay.
04:17Joining me on this case is Kim who has experience in both security and law enforcement.
04:23How many squatters are we expecting to be in here?
04:25We know of one squatter, but we don't know if she has others in the house with her.
04:29Okay.
04:37Yeah, so see that house right there?
04:39And then a garage unit on the left.
04:42So we have a couple challenges the way I see it.
04:45Do we got any vehicles in the driveway?
04:47Looks like there is one in the driveway.
04:50First of all, getting on the property without being noticed.
04:53That's most likely her car.
04:55So she's probably home.
04:57There's only one way in and one way out.
04:59One long driveway up to the property.
05:02We can be seen the moment we pull up that driveway.
05:06Yeah, let's go to a tighter lens, see all these big windows.
05:09So we may be able to get a view of her there.
05:12Oh, wait. There's somebody right there.
05:15Right there.
05:16Right there.
05:16Yeah. Oh, wow.
05:19That's definitely our squatter.
05:21We have to figure out how we get in the house.
05:31All right, let me see what Mike's got.
05:36Hey.
05:37Hey, so what do you got for me?
05:39Yeah, I ran that name.
05:40There's no Mary Alice Wiggins in Washington.
05:43I'm gonna guess that's an assumed name.
05:45Really? Huh.
05:47I did confirm on social media there is somebody by that name renting rooms out at Casey's address.
05:55Well, thank you, Mike.
05:56No problem.
05:58All right, Cam.
05:58I think that might be our way in.
06:01By posting an ad seeking renters, this squatter unknowingly may have opened the door to give us an opportunity to
06:08enter this house.
06:22It looks like Sam's pulling up behind us here.
06:29Hey, Sam, I really appreciate you coming out here for this.
06:32This is Cam.
06:33Hi, Sam.
06:34Nice to meet you.
06:35Sam is a local investigator that I've worked with and she has experience in undercover work.
06:39See this house right up here?
06:41Yeah.
06:42The squatter took over this house.
06:44And she's been running ads trying to rent out rooms.
06:47Okay.
06:47So we're gonna call just trying to rent a room.
07:01Sam is actually gonna go through all the regular steps as if she's a renter.
07:06Hello?
07:07Hi, I was calling about looking at a room.
07:11Yes, the smallest room is 800 and the entire downstairs is 1500.
07:17I'd like to look at it.
07:18Can I come right now?
07:19About like 15 minutes.
07:22You sure can.
07:24Okay.
07:24Okay, I'll be watching for you.
07:25All right.
07:26Thank you so much.
07:27Okay, I'll go.
07:28Bye.
07:29Perfect.
07:30While Sam is viewing the property and walking around, she's gonna leave the door unlocked.
07:34To allow me the opportunity to enter discreetly.
08:01Hi.
08:02What was your name again?
08:02I'm Sam.
08:03I'm Mariela.
08:04It's nice to meet you.
08:05Nice to meet you.
08:06All right, I'm gonna go do this.
08:07All right, be careful, man.
08:09This is the one room here.
08:11Okay.
08:11Um, yeah, this one doesn't have its own bathroom or nothing.
08:15And then that's mine across the hall.
08:20Okay, now I can see her in the front room there.
08:24This is the shared area.
08:25Yeah, so she has a Cleveland mess.
08:26Yeah.
08:27Um, it's really nice out here.
08:29Yeah, it is.
08:30Yeah, it takes a while.
08:30We work to keep this place up.
08:32Guys, just stay on me, okay?
08:34I'm gonna take over this house.
08:39My lease legally allows me to enter the home anytime I want.
08:42If you want more privacy, there's the whole one down here.
08:44But waiting for a squatter to be distracted gives us the benefit of a guaranteed entrance.
08:51And there's a bathroom down here.
08:52Yeah, there's a bathroom down here.
08:54Of course, once we're in, I'm happy to make our presence known.
09:03Okay, how much did you pay this one?
09:05This part is $1,500.
09:06Okay.
09:07Yeah.
09:07Yeah, that's pretty good.
09:09Open the aisle to go.
09:16You guys work?
09:17Yeah.
09:18Mm-hmm.
09:19You want to go later?
09:21Yeah.
09:21That's good.
09:24Okay.
09:25Why are you in my house?
09:26Hey.
09:27Hey.
09:27Oh, who are you?
09:28Why are you in my house?
09:28We're roommates now.
09:31This is my house.
09:32What is your name?
09:33My name's Mary Alice.
09:34What's your name?
09:34Mary Alice?
09:35My name is Flash.
09:36I'm calling the cops right now.
09:37All right.
09:37So, oh, you're gonna call the cops?
09:39I am.
09:39Hold on one second.
09:40I have a lease for the property.
09:42So if you, if you want to show me your lease, I'll show you mine.
09:46You guys can get out of my house now.
09:47Go.
09:48You don't have permission to be in my house.
09:49Get the thing out of my face.
09:50So I noticed that you're not calling the police, and I think that you're not because
09:55you are not a lawful tenant.
09:56You have something to hide.
09:59We're doing anything we can to kind of let her know that we are in control.
10:05This is, uh, don't pay attention to her.
10:08Get the camera out of my face and get out of my house.
10:10I thought you said your name was Mary Alice.
10:13I did.
10:13My name is Mary Alice.
10:14But the name on the deed is Casey.
10:16Well, it's because it's in an owner contract.
10:18It'll be traced over when it's paid off.
10:19This woman was clearly seasoned.
10:21And you can show me this?
10:23I'll have to show you because I live here.
10:25She knew exactly what to say.
10:27This was not her first rodeo.
10:29All right.
10:29Well, right now you live here.
10:31I live here.
10:32And so does anyone else that I allow in the door live here,
10:35including my crew.
10:37For now on, it's my home, and I'm going to be controlling the renters.
10:42This is not happening.
10:43Get these people out of my house.
10:45Hey, listen to me.
10:46Go.
10:46Get away from me.
10:47They don't.
10:47No, no, no.
10:48We are being civil.
10:49No one is touching you.
10:50Get these people out of my house.
10:51Okay, listen to me.
10:52I promise you this.
10:53You broke into my house.
10:54No.
10:55Listen to me.
10:56Okay, I promise you this.
10:58If you touch anyone in this household, I will not only make sure that you are out of this
11:03house, but I'll make sure you end up out of this house in cuffs.
11:06I will have charges filed for assault and have you removed.
11:10Do you understand this?
11:11I understand what you're trying to say.
11:12Do you understand that?
11:14I understand what you're trying to say.
11:15So I've got one of my renters coming in right now.
11:18Get out.
11:19His name is Cam, and you're going to really like him.
11:22He's a really nice gentleman.
11:23I got it.
11:23Hey, is this your bedroom?
11:25Is this your bedroom?
11:25Tell you what.
11:26This room is your room now.
11:28The rest of the house is mine.
11:30Don't move.
11:36This house belongs to Casey and her family.
11:40You're squatting here.
11:41I know you're squatting here.
11:42You don't know nothing.
11:44And by the way, my renters are coming.
11:46We're taking over.
11:47Here we go.
11:47Thank you for all the hospitality.
11:50To continue ratcheting up the pressure,
11:52I've informed the squatter that I intend to move in subletters of my own.
11:59Hey, what's up, Flash?
12:01Hey, Cam.
12:01I want you to go ahead and grab that U-Haul.
12:05Bring it up here.
12:07I'm ready for you in here now.
12:09We've gained access, so I'm here for you.
12:11I'll be expecting you at the back door.
12:13All right.
12:13Copy that.
12:14All right, bye.
12:15Bye.
12:16Okay.
12:17Get out of my house!
12:19I'm not going anywhere.
12:30Get out!
12:31Get the out of my property.
12:33Oh, wait.
12:34Look.
12:35Wait a minute.
12:36My sister and logistics coordinator, Justice, just arrived in a moving truck to send a message
12:42that we're really moving in.
12:44Yeah.
12:45Yeah.
12:46Yeah.
12:54All right.
12:58All right.
12:59He's going to come in and he's going to rent this front room here by the door.
13:02Do not assault him.
13:03Okay?
13:04Do not touch him.
13:05Right.
13:06I am a long-sighted assistant.
13:07Oh, hey, Cam.
13:08Hey, Cam.
13:09This is our new roommate.
13:10Get out of my house.
13:11She has been warned not to sense or touch or anyone.
13:14Get out of my face.
13:16Pardon me.
13:16Excuse me.
13:17Back up.
13:17I don't have to back up.
13:18Ma'am.
13:19Ma'am.
13:19Ma'am.
13:19Back up.
13:20Please.
13:21Get out of my house.
13:22Should I go ahead and grab the rest of my things?
13:24Get out of my house.
13:24Go get the rest of your things.
13:25No.
13:26Bring in the boxes.
13:27Now I have Cam here.
13:29We've taken her solitude, her sanctuary, her remote location cabin.
13:35You know, I think she's starting to get the point that we're not going anywhere.
13:39She's not going to make any more money off of this house.
13:42All right.
13:42Come here.
13:42That's the person that's going to move into my house.
13:45Here's a couple of my things.
13:46And we absolutely surprised her.
13:49So right now, I think she doesn't know what to do.
13:52Right there, buddy.
13:52Well, the more person, they can just come and do whatever they want.
13:55To put it simply, we're here to out-squat the squatter.
13:59You got what you need right now?
14:01For sure.
14:01Okay.
14:01Go ahead and make yourself at home.
14:03Okay.
14:03Get out.
14:04Hey.
14:04You guys have cable?
14:05Get out.
14:06It's my understanding that this house...
14:07Everything in this house is mine.
14:08This house is...
14:12Hey, Flash.
14:13Can you ask her where the remote is?
14:15It's up your ass.
14:16All right.
14:18That wasn't very nice.
14:20Now that the squatter has retreated to her room again,
14:23we're going to take the opportunity to set up security cameras in the common area.
14:27Not only does this allow us to monitor the area from anywhere on the property...
14:31All right.
14:32That looks great.
14:32...but it also allows us to keep a record of the squatter's actions.
14:36All right, Cam.
14:37Let's go.
14:40Mary, can I have a serious, like, civil conversation with you?
14:45What I think happened is I think you stumbled upon this property.
14:49I think you found a key.
14:51I think you came in, you saw it was beautiful, and you decided to make it your home.
14:56And I want to get you to make the right decision and vacate this house.
15:03Yeah, you don't know what you're talking about.
15:04You need to just get off my property.
15:07I am the only lawful tenant, and you need to get out of my house.
15:11This is a process.
15:12It's a game.
15:13I need her to realize that this isn't going away.
15:16I'm not going away.
15:17You know what, Mary?
15:18Since you're not going to come out and talk to me civilly,
15:20I think I just need to turn up the heat.
15:23I need to do things, act like the bad roommate,
15:25and let her know that the only way this is ending is if she's walking out that door.
15:31I'm going to grab the megaphone.
15:32Okay, go do that.
15:36Mary.
15:38Mary had a little squatter.
15:41Hey, squatter.
15:42Can you come out and play?
15:48Turn it down.
15:51Oh, my.
15:52All right.
15:53Hey, Cam.
15:53Let's go.
15:54In the room.
15:55I want to give her the illusion that we're giving her space, total space, and maybe she'll come out of
16:01her room.
16:02And I've got the security camera up there, so we can see what she does.
16:10Oh, my God.
16:12There she is.
16:14She's coming out.
16:16Maybe she's looking for me.
16:20I think she notices the camera.
16:24Oh, wait a minute.
16:24What'd she just grab?
16:52I think she's ready for me to try to talk to her again.
17:01Mary.
17:04I can see that you're visibly upset.
17:07I know you didn't expect us here today.
17:09But look, we're going to be here as long as it takes.
17:12I have to get this house back.
17:14All you have to do is leave.
17:17I have a family that is distraught.
17:20I'm here until you leave.
17:27She's going to need some time by herself to reflect on what I just said.
17:32So, let's back off.
17:33Let's give her the night.
17:44Hey, Mary.
17:46Do you want to come out?
17:48Do you want to talk to me?
17:48No, I'm going to talk to you right here.
17:50Okay.
17:51You think we can try to resolve this situation?
17:55Okay, I know you want me to leave.
17:57I need you to understand that the longer you're here, the longer I'm here.
18:00And the longer I'm here, I'm going to find out more information about you,
18:05where you came from, and your real name.
18:08So, I need you to truly understand that.
18:15Okay, I can give you 48 hours, but you need to understand that I cannot leave.
18:21I will take my crew, and we will back off.
18:24But I have to maintain possession of this property.
18:27Will you sign an agreement stating that you will vacate the home in 48 hours?
18:37The squatter knew what she was doing.
18:39This was not her first rodeo.
18:46They typically know that they're going to be able to scare off anyone and keep the house.
18:53Mary?
18:54But unfortunately for her, me and my team don't scare so easy.
18:58All right, I have an agreement to vacate for you.
19:01Okay.
19:01You can just sign that and date it.
19:12Okay, thank you.
19:27Hi, Mary.
19:28Yeah.
19:28It's time.
19:29Can we help you?
19:31I can get that, but I have some stuff in that room over there.
19:32Okay, okay.
19:34I'm going to welcome this squatter out the door today, and we're going to take over this home.
19:39Okay?
19:40Do you have anything else inside?
19:41No.
19:41It's all good?
19:42That's it.
19:52Oh, she just gave us a message.
20:03This family really needed our help.
20:05The system here would have kept her in court two years to get her home back.
20:11Hi, Casey.
20:13Hi.
20:15I have the keys.
20:16Oh, my God.
20:17And welcome back to your home.
20:19Seriously?
20:20Absolutely.
20:21Oh, my God.
20:22I can't believe it.
20:22This is a good day.
20:24I can't believe it.
20:24Oh, my God.
20:25I can't believe it.
20:26Absolutely.
20:27Welcome.
20:28Let's take a look.
20:30I'm in just shock and disbelief that this whole thing happened,
20:35and I'm so grateful to have my house back.
20:38It's a beautiful home.
20:40And it's all yours again.
20:42Wow.
20:42Thank you so much.
20:43Like, I can't, I can't believe it.
20:45This woman was a professional.
20:47She knew what she was doing.
20:48She knew all of her rights.
20:50I can tell you she was settling in.
20:52She was making income off of your property, and she had no intention to leave.
20:57We're just so grateful to move in and finally, like, take over our own property again.
21:02So thank you so much.
21:04Absolutely.
Comments