Foreclosed Home Stripping Arrest
July 22nd, 2010
The San Joaquin County, CA District Attorney's office is accusing a Ripon couple of grand theft and extortion after they allegedly gutted their foreclosed home.
Ripon couple accused of stripping foreclosed house
STOCKTON, CA - The San Joaquin County District Attorney's office is accusing a Ripon couple of grand theft and extortion after they allegedly gutted their foreclosed home on the way out the door.
"The payments weren't made. The house was foreclosed and on the way out, neighbors saw them stripping the place," said prosecutor Stephen Taylor.
John Paul Freitas and Janette Ann Freitas are scheduled to appear in court on those charges Wednesday.
"The stripped property belongs to the house and whoever buys the house," said Taylor, who provided a long list of items removed.
"Doors, ceiling fans, all the kitchen appliances, cabinets above the toilet, the mirror above the vanity," said Taylor.
He said the removal of those items might not have turned into a legal case, but the accused couple then allegedly tried to sell everything to the home's new buyers.
"Not only did they say they have the stuff, they took the buyers to look at the stuff in storage lockers," said Taylor.
Stockton realtor Nicole Truszkowski said about half the foreclosed homes she's seen have been stripped to some extent.
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