Squatters arrested after multiple reports of Fruitland Park break-ins

FRUITLAND PARK, Fla. — Squatters moved into a Fruitland Park home, and then broke into others on the same block, deputies said.

Neighbors helped investigators catch the culprits, authorities said.

The squatters told deputies that they moved in when they discovered no one was living at the home, said officials.

However, deputies said while the squatters were at the home, they broke into neighboring homes.

One of the squatters had a gun, authorities said.

"They need to quit doing that. They're nothing but rogues," said neighbor Shawn Davidson.

Authorities said Jerry Lay and Krystal Doyle were caught squatting in the unoccupied home early Tuesday morning.

Deputies said they were called to scene because neighbors believed the two were breaking into homes of owners who were out of state.

"She could hear them talking, and saw a flashlight, and they were walking around behind the houses in that area," said John Herrell of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies said the couple admitted to squatting with another woman, who had been living there for a month.

"Those people are out of town and only come here during the winter," Davidson said.

Lay and Doyle were arrested on burglary charges and trespassed from the home.

The third person living in the home was trespassed and wasn't arrested on burglary charges.

Other stories of squatters have been reported, and many homeowners have had a tough time getting the squatters out.

But not in this case.

"Anytime we find that people are taking possession of a home where they have no legal right to be there, then obviously they can be removed instantly," Herrell said.

Officials said in some cases, fighting squatters can turn into a civil matter if there was some type of agreement that give the squatters permission to move in.

Deputies said they are investigating whether Lay and Doyle are connected to any other break-ins.

Cox Media Group