Crime & Safety

Alleged Squatters Arrested In Tuscany Hills

Daniel Service, 19, and Melissa Quinn, 22, both from Lake Elsinore, were arrested today for trespassing and drug possession.

Deputies from the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station arrested two suspected drug users who were allegedly squatting in the upscale neighborhood of Tuscany Hills.

Daniel Service, 19, and Melissa Quinn, 22, both from Lake Elsinore, were arrested today for trespassing. “Both suspects were also found to be in possession of suspected methamphetamine and heroin,” according to a report from Sgt. John Carlberg of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

The arrests come after police say they got tips from the public, the Tuscany Hills Homeowner's Association, and the Lake Elsinore Code Compliance Department.

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“It was believed the residence was being used by squatters who were also engaged in illegal drug use,” the sergeant said in his report. “There has also been a marked increase in thefts and vehicle burglaries in this area.”

On Monday, Lake Elsinore sheriff’s deputies went to the residence at 10 Ponte Russo with Lake Elsinore Code Compliance officers, but no one was home, the sergeant reported.

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During Monday’s visit, police “recovered evidence of illegal drug-related activity,” Sgt. Carlberg reported.

An Order to Vacate was issued and posted at the home, but at 6 a.m. today deputies found Service and Quinn at the house. Both were booked into the Southwest Detention Center.

Morton Washington, 56, lives next door and said he never noticed much activity at the home.

"They were neighbors, not squatters,” he said. “They respected me and respected them. I knew they where forced to vacate the premises. I looked out my window this morning and saw three squad cars over there." --Daniel Lane contributed to this report.


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