“Disturbing Squatting Scam Exposes Wanted Suspect Accused of Raping Minor in Washington State”

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Police in Washington state have recently uncovered a disturbing squatting scam that has left homeowners shocked and concerned. The scam involved a man who was hired to renovate a home but instead fraudulently moved into the property. Upon further investigation, the police discovered that the man was not actually a contractor, but a wanted suspect accused of raping a minor in Idaho.

The Kent Police Department took to Facebook to warn homeowners about the incident, urging them to be extra cautious when hiring contractors. They advised, “If you’re having work done on your business or home, please take the extra time to vet your contractor. If they seem fishy, they likely are.”

The incident unfolded when the homeowners hired a contractor for an extensive remodeling project. However, about 10 days ago, they discovered that the contractor had changed the locks and was denying them access to their own property. Despite their repeated attempts to regain entry, the homeowners were continuously denied access.

Concerned and suspicious, the homeowners contacted the police, who were dispatched to the residence in Kent. Four members of the police department arrived at the scene and attempted to make contact with the suspect and a 35-year-old woman who was also found living in the home. The woman was identified as the suspect’s girlfriend and was originally from Yelm, a town located about 50 miles south of Kent.

Despite the officers’ attempts to communicate with the suspects, they repeatedly refused to comply. Eventually, with the homeowner’s permission, the police entered the property and arrested both individuals.

However, the shocking revelation came when the police department discovered that the alleged contractor was actually a wanted man from Idaho, facing charges of raping a minor. The suspect had initially lied about his identity, but through the use of a fingerprint scanner, his true identity was revealed. He was identified as a 45-year-old man with a $500,000 warrant for his arrest.

During the search of the residence, the police found that the suspects had moved their personal belongings into the property. Additionally, they discovered a shotgun with no serial number and a trailer on the driveway with a stolen license plate.

Assistant Police Chief Jarod Kasner described the incident as unusual but emphasized the importance of conducting thorough research and reference checks when hiring individuals for home improvement projects. He advised homeowners to be cautious and vigilant in order to prevent similar incidents from occurring.

The male suspect has been charged as a Fugitive from Justice and is facing a Criminal Trespass 1 charge, which is considered a gross misdemeanor in Washington. He is currently being held in the King County Jail, awaiting extradition to Idaho. The female suspect has also been charged with Criminal Trespass 1 and has been booked at the local jail.

This incident serves as a reminder to homeowners to exercise caution when hiring contractors and to take the necessary steps to ensure their safety and security. By conducting proper research and reference checks, homeowners can protect themselves from falling victim to fraudulent individuals..

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