Mansion Squatters claim 3 more Eastside homes

The Mansion Squatters have returned by claiming possession of 3 more homes in Kirkland and Bellevue. Several local news outlets have good coverage of this issue:

Danny Westneat of the Seattle Times has a column in today’s paper on this issue in which he goes into depth on the Mansion Squatters.

“It’s becoming exasperating,” said Capt. Mike Ursino, of the Kirkland police. (Two of the new targeted properties are in Kirkland.) “McClung’s thinking is that if he keeps trying, one day he’s going to win and he’ll miraculously have a million-dollar house.

“Meanwhile, everybody else goes out and works for what they’ve got.” Ursino said “No trespassing” signs have been posted at the two Kirkland houses, “to give us a bit more of a hammer if anyone tries to move in.” He said Lane still hasn’t been charged with any crime for the June squatting, though the Kirkland city attorney may still do so.

The Seattle Times

The SeattlePI.com also covered story on Friday:

These latest cases first caught the attention of realtors, who found letters posted on three vacant properties in Kirkland and Bellevue earlier this week. The letters tell occupants “to surrender possession within three days of serving this notice” on August 17. Two of the properties are bank-owned; the third, listed at $2.1 million, is in foreclosure.

SeattlePI.com

KOMOTV ran this story:

About Rob Butcher

Editor and Scribbler of Kirkland Views.
  • http://kirklandviews.com Rob Butcher

    Hmmmm… It seems to me that someone needs to learn there are consequences for breaking the law. Is anyone surprised that these squatters continue to trespass, invade our neighborhoods, waste our police department resources and cost the homeowners thousands of dollars WHEN WE DON’T PROSECUTE THEM???

    The City of Kirkland should have thrown the book at them back in June. They did not. Maybe the City had good reason not to prosecute at that time, but I can’t imagine why we continue to allow such behavior to take place in our city unpunished.

    I do not want to read another story about how squatters find Kirkland a good place to target. It is time we stop allowing this and time to start prosecuting those who break the law.