Squatters Occupying $224K Home Arrested

Couple tried to use 'adverse possession' law to take over home

A couple who had occupied a vacant home in Mansfield by a tactic called "adverse possession" have been ordered from the house, arrested and charged with burglarizing the house.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports Andrew LaTour II and Alicia LaTour occupied the $224,000 house after filing an affidavit of adverse possession with the Tarrant County clerk.

A state law allows squatters to claim property if no owner is on hand to challenge the claim.

However, the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office has denied the validity of the affidavits some residential squatters have filed.

On Tuesday, Justice of the Peace Matt Hayes evicted the LaTours, and Constable Clint Burgess arrested them on a burglary charge.

Their attorney, Robert Frisch of Dallas, declined to comment on the charge.

More: Star-Telegram

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