In a dramatic showdown reminiscent of the Wild West, a New York City property owner found herself in handcuffs after a tense confrontation with a group of squatters who had taken over her family’s residence. Video footage captured the heated exchange, showcasing the escalating tensions in the battle for property rights.
Adele Andaloro, aged 47, was apprehended after taking matters into her own hands and changing the locks on her family’s $1 million home in Flushing, Queens, which she inherited from her deceased parents, as reported by ABC’s Eyewitness News.
Expressing her frustration, the homeowner lamented, “It’s enraging. It’s not fair that I, as the homeowner, have to be going through this.”
Andaloro recounts the saga starting when she initiated the process of selling the property, only to discover squatters had taken up residence, boldly replacing the front door and locks.
Frustrated by the situation, Andaloro decided to confront the squatters with the media in tow, aiming to reclaim her family’s home by hiring a locksmith to change the locks.
What ensued was a fiery confrontation caught on camera, resulting in the apprehension of both alleged squatters and Andaloro herself.
Under New York City law, individuals can claim “squatters rights” after just 30 days of residency, making it illegal for homeowners to take actions such as changing locks or removing belongings.
With anguish in her voice, Andaloro expressed her fear of losing her home, stating, “I’m really fearful that these people are going to get away with stealing my home.”
The altercation reached a climax as Andaloro, armed with property deeds, entered the residence, only to be met with resistance from a man claiming to be a tenant named Brian Rodriguez.
Despite numerous 911 calls, law enforcement informed Andaloro that the dispute fell under the jurisdiction of housing court, classifying it as a “landlord-tenant issue.”
Ultimately, Andaloro was arrested for unlawful eviction due to her actions of changing the locks.
Facing legal hurdles, Andaloro revealed she’s compelled to initiate an eviction filing in court to resolve the landlord-tenant dispute, adding to her mounting woes.
This ordeal is just the latest in a series of incidents involving squatters in New York City. Recently, a couple’s relocation plans to a $2 million home in Douglaston, Queens, were thwarted by a squatter claiming prior arrangements with the previous owner. Additionally, another squatter was discovered to have turned a Rockaways residence into a shocking sanctuary of neglect, harboring over a dozen emaciated cats and dogs.
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