LAS VEGAS, Nevada (FOX5) — Neighbors say five squatters were finally evicted from a vacant home in East Las Vegas after police obtained a search warrant.
Neighbors showed photos of police surrounding the house and telling people to leave. One neighbor told FOX5 that five people lived inside.
FOX5 reported on the problem property in Paradise Township near the intersection of Pecos Road and Hacienda Avenue. According to neighbors, the property was vacant for months until people forced their way in.
A search warrant was served on July 30.
“Due to the hazardous conditions in the home… being occupied without electricity or water and with an accumulation of trash, debris and human waste, the Clark County Department of Buildings obtained a search and seizure warrant for LVMPD to remove the residents from the home,” a Clark County spokesperson told FOX5.
Neighbor “Nikki” told FOX5 that relatives raised their concerns with 311 and the Clark County Fix-It app and were eager to take action after reporting the problem for weeks.
“They were lying half naked in the backyard,” the neighbor said. “I smelled the stuff very strongly. It makes me wonder if there is a meth lab there?” “Most people who live like that are desperate in some way. How desperate are they? Do they need food? Do they need money? Do they need drugs?” she said.
According to Clark County Assessor’s records, the home is registered in the name of a retiree in her 80s and is also in a trust in the landlord’s name.
County officials said the tax abatement resulted in a $1,350 lien on the home.
Neighbors are glad the house is boarded up, but at least one person told FOX5 the suspects are known homeless people who frequent the area. Neighbors fear they will target other vacant homes.
How do you report a squatter? LVMPD tells FOX5 the best way to do this is through your local LVMPD area dispatch center.
You can speak to officers in person at the station or click on the department page and submit a “service request.” You can also speak to officers at First Tuesday events.
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