Alleged squatter charged with illegally occupying Howard Beach home: DA – QNS

A Hollis woman has been indicted by a Queens grand jury on burglary, trespassing and other related offenses for illegally occupying a single-family home in Howard Beach.

Laurel Bay, 49, of 198th Street, was arraigned Thursday in Queens Supreme Court on a five-count indictment for allegedly squatting in a 99th Street home that had been vacant since 2012, with the Homeowner managed the property from out of state.

According to the charges, on the night of July 18, an eyewitness saw Bay moving items in and out of the house and reported the activity to the NYPD. Police from the 106th Precinct in Ozone Park responded to the home and observed Bay coming out the front door of the home. She was taken into custody and issued a trespassing ticket.

A few days later, on July 21, at approximately 9:20 a.m., the same witness observed objects moving inside the home and the basement door being opened. When police returned to the property, they saw Bay crawling out of a basement window. She was arrested again and given a second trespassing ticket.

It was later discovered that the home’s front and back doors were damaged when Bay allegedly attempted to change the locks.

“It is against the law to enter another person’s home without permission and claim that you have the right to stay – even if the property is vacant,” said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. “This defendant is accused of trespassing on another person’s property and attempting to claim the home as their property.”

In addition to burglary and trespassing, Bay was also charged with criminal mischief, petit larceny and criminal possession of stolen property.

“Thanks to the vigilance of surrounding neighbors, my office was immediately alerted and the defendant has now been charged with serious charges,” Katz said.

Queens Supreme Court Justice Toni Cimino ordered Bay to return to court on November 26. If convicted of the highest charge, Bay faces a possible maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.