Two vigilantes have showed up to evict three brazen squatters who are living at a New York City home after its owner was arrested after she tried to remove them.
Adele Andaloro inherited her family’s home, located in Flushing, Queens, but she was left aghast when squatters moved into her childhood home last month.
Andaloro confronted the squatters herself – and was subsequently arrested when one of the men inside called the police on her for changing the locks.
The furious homeowner, who had been in the process of selling the home, said: ‘I’m really fearful that these people are going to get away with stealing my home.’
She also shared her fear that by the time authorities look into the matter, it may be more than 30 days since they moved in. Crucially, squatters in New York have rights after occupying a residence for more than a month.
Two vigilantes rolled up outside the home, where the three squatters have taken over. The furious homeowner, who had been in the process of selling the home, said: ‘I’m really fearful that these people are going to get away with stealing my home’
One man, who is believed to be squatting in the home, walks past the property
Andaloro entered the home, flanked by reporters, after an unidentified woman unlocked the door. Inside, she was greeted by two men who were ultimately led away by police
According to neighbors, the unruly squatters have been seen and heard carrying out home renovations inside the Queens property.
On Tuesday afternoon, two men pulled their black truck into the driveway of Andaloro’s home looking for the brazen occupants.
‘We are looking to get this guy out,’ said the unidentified man, who appeared agitated and was dressed in a black ‘Trump’ t-shirt. He said: ‘I am here to talk to him.
‘I want to see why he is here.’
One of the neighbors on the block, who saw what transpired, said ‘holy c**p,’ and said she had no idea that the squatter issue was causing so much backlash.
Many of the neighbors are baffled by the ordeal – and say they want to know how the squatters gained access into the house in the first place.
‘It’s disgusting,’ one person said, who mentioned that he has seen one of the squatters walking around outside.
He added sarcastically: ‘I wish I could live rent free.’
A woman, who is squatting inside, peers through the window to watch a confrontation
Adele Andaloro, 47, inherited her family’s property in Flushing, Queens and was hoping to sell it – but was stopped dead in her tracks when squatters moved in last month
According to neighbors, the squatters have been seen and heard carrying out home renovations inside the property which they are not legally allowed to reside in
On Tuesday, two men pulled their black truck into the driveway of Andaloro’s home in the afternoon looking for the occupants
One of the vigilantes makes his way to the front door to speak to the people inside
Another neighbor, who asked not to be identified, told DailyMail.com that she has seen concerning activity at the house over the last few weeks.
She said she saw one of the squatters carry a door into the house late one night.
‘I actually saw the door go into the house. The guy looked at me then looked away,’ she recalled. ‘I didn’t know what was going on.’
The same neighbor said there had been a ‘For Sale’ sign on the house for a long time, and said ‘this guy (the squatter) came out of nowhere.’
Kosta, a 24-year-old college student who lives with his family next to the squatters house, told DailyMail.com that he remembered the former owners – and said he has been ‘on edge’ since they arrived a few weeks ago.
The neighbor added: ‘They are doing construction on the house all night long.
‘I heard a drill and saw through my window that they were drilling holes into the wall and putting up boards.’
He said one of those boards was placed over the window. Kosta added: ‘I don’t know if the board is still there, but it looked like they were trying to hide what was inside.’
Many of the residents have lived on the tight-knit block for more than 30 years.
‘We all know what they are up to, so we’re all kind of pissed about it,’ Kosta said.
Minutes after police left, a man identified as Brian Rodriguez (pictured) shoved his way inside, accompanied by one of the squatters who had already been taken off the property
A delivery driver waits at the front of the house after the squatters inside ordered food
A woman, believed to be squatting in the home, peers out of a crack in the front door
One of the vigilantes gets out of his car to attempt to confront the squatters
Kosta, a 24-year-old college student who lives in the house with his family next door told DailyMail.com he has ‘no idea where they came from’ and how they even got into the house
Trash next to the home where the squatters have taken over
The two-story home that sits on a quiet street in the Whitestone- Flushing border estimated value on is more than $1.2 million, according to Homes.com
Andaloro was arrested for changing the locks, which is illegal under New York City’s illegal eviction law
Others who live on the street complained that what’s happening to the owner is ‘unfair’ – as one local called the squatters ‘sons of b****es.’
Many neighbors living on the street said they wanted to help the owner as much as possible to get the squatters out – and said that they were keen to sign a petition.
According to locals, Andaloro was living in the house with her daughter and mom.
When her mother passed away a few years ago, she stayed in the house and rented out the basement to an older man and his dog, who was said to be a beloved member of the community.
When the man moved out of state, Andaloro put the house on the market.
The two-storey home that sits on a quiet street in the Whitestone- Flushing border estimated value on is more than $1.2 million, according to Homes.com.
A woman who appeared to be living in the home would not answer the door after several attempts were made, but earlier in the day told a source that she doesn’t know what is going on and said that she is a roommate in the home.
The same woman hours later had ordered take-out that was delivered to the home around 6.30pm.
She opened the door to pay for the order, but soon slammed it shut soon after.