A 75-year-old man suffered a heart attack from the stress of learning his Arkansas home had been broken into by a pair of squatters who had Googled how to occupy someone else’s home and escape.
Local media outlet KNWA reports that Kelly DeShields, 54, and Matthew Villagran, 46, had been staying at Gary Brankel’s Maysville home for at least a month, claiming they thought the house had been vacant for years.
But Brankel, who was staying at a treatment facility recovering from health issues, returned on May 30 to find the couple illegally occupying her home. DeShields allegedly followed instructions he found on Google to claim ownership of the house, according to the indictment.
“The internet led her to believe that she could acquire the property by paying property taxes and maintaining the residence and land,” the document states.
DeShields also presented officers with a Benton County Sheriff’s Office receipt from the Gravette tax office proving that he paid $162 in assessment fees on Brankel’s home on May 1.
She later admitted that no one from the tax office had told her she could occupy the land.
The couple are also accused of burning Mr Brunkel’s personal documents and interior decor after falsely claiming ownership of the home. Police said they found “fresh” burn piles on the property, as well as several destroyed items belonging to Mr Brunkel.
Authorities said Brankel suffered a heart attack “due to stress caused by the squatters” and was hospitalized again.
His current status is unknown, but he can confirm that he does not recognize DeShields and Villagran, nor has he given them permission to occupy his home.
DeShields and Villagran were eventually arrested on June 5 and charged with theft.
Both are being held at the Benton County Detention Center, with DeShields being held on $25,000 bail and Villagran on $15,000 bail.
They are due to appear in court on July 15.
