Alleged South Carolina squatters showed cops fake lease: cops

US News

By Alex Oliveira

Two South Carolina women were caught squatting in a home and provided a fraudulent lease to authorities, police said.

Karen Gail Smith, 40, and Megan Brooke Williamson, 36, were arrested in May after being found at a Sumter home on April 25 and showing a fraudulent lease when confronted by police, police said. the Sumter County Sheriff's Office.

Police were called to the property after its manager reported finding the lock forced, WYFF reported, and discovered the women living inside with a 15-year-old minor.

An investigation at the scene uncovered a car owned by the city of Sumter with its VIN scratched, as well as evidence that the women had stolen from a nearby animal shelter and at least two of its employees.

“It can be difficult for the average person to believe that there are people in this world who will lie, cheat, steal and worse without thinking of the needs of others,” said Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis.

“But these suspects appear to be another example of criminals without conscience,” he said.

Police charged Williamson with third-degree burglary for entering an unoccupied home, and both were charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, financial transaction card theft, financial identity theft and other counts. charges, WYFF reported.

The women were arrested in May, but Williamson was released nine days later, on May 30, after posting bail of more than $28,000.

However, she is wanted again, having accumulated eight additional arrest warrants since her release.

“Our investigators go the extra mile to uncover the truth, and without their hard and tenacious work, many of these charges could have gone undetected,” Sheriff Dennis said.

Smith remains behind bars on bail of nearly $60,000.