Arkansas couple arrested after using instructions found on Google to claim their Maysville home

Lina Portman3 weeks ago

1 1 minute read

Kelly Deshields, 54, and Matthew Villagran, 46, were arrested for residential burglary. According to the probable cause report, Deshields “Googled” how to own a property she believed was unoccupied. She said she believed that by paying property taxes and maintaining her residence and land, she could begin the process of acquiring this property. Deshields showed investigators a receipt from the Gravette Revenue Office indicating she paid $162 in assessment fees for 10604 N. HWY 34, Maysville, Arkansas. Gary Brankel, 75, owns the property but is currently in a treatment center. Her caretaker told police he found Deshields and her boyfriend, Villagran, living in the house while they collected personal items for Brankel. The probable cause report stated there was a burn pile that appeared to contain personal items inside the home. Police said Brankel suffered a heart attack due to the stress of worrying about strangers in his home. Deshields' bail is set at $25,000 and Villagran's bail is set at $15,000.

MAYSVILLE, Ark. —

Kelly Deshields, 54, and Matthew Villagran, 46, were arrested for residential burglary.

According to the probable cause report, Deshields “Googled” how to own a property she believed was unoccupied. She said she believed that by paying property taxes and maintaining her residence and land, she could begin the process of acquiring this property.

Deshields showed investigators a receipt from the Gravette Revenue Office indicating she paid $162 in assessment fees for 10604 N. HWY 34, Maysville, Arkansas.

Gary Brankel, 75, owns the property but is currently in a treatment center. Her caretaker told police he found Deshields and her boyfriend, Villagran, living in the house while they collected personal items for Brankel.

The probable cause report stated there was a burn pile that appeared to contain personal items inside the home.

Police said Brankel suffered a heart attack due to the stress of worrying about strangers in his home.

Deshields' bail is set at $25,000 and Villagran's bail is set at $15,000.