Alleged squatter accused of living in Queens home, renting out bedrooms
FLUSHING, Queens (PIX11) – An alleged squatter is accused of living in a Queens home and renting out the bedrooms to other people, according to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz.
Brian Rodriguez, 35, is charged with burglary, grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, criminal trespass and criminal mischief. He could face 15 years in prison if convicted, officials said.
On Feb. 17, homeowner Adele Andaloro was checking on the 160th Street home in Flushing she inherited from her father when she realized that the front door was changed, prosecutors said. Andaloro last visited the home in January.
Andaloro said she never met Rodriguez or gave him access to the home, but saw him there numerous times. During a confrontation between the two on Feb. 19, Rodriguez claimed that he was leasing the property but did not specify who he was leasing it from, according to prosecutors.
Andaloro then saw several others living in the home on Feb. 29. One of the residents had left a door open, which gave her access back into the home, prosecutors said.
She then called a locksmith and changed the locks. Rodriguez allegedly forced his way into the home later that same day Andaloro told him to leave, prosecutors said.
Officers arrived at the scene, and Rodriguez told them that Andaloro was trying to unlawfully evict him. She was removed from the home by police, according to prosecutors.
The District Attorney's Housing and Worker Protection Bureau launched an investigation into the claims made by Andaloro. Rodriguez surrendered to the DA's office on Thursday, officials said.
The arrest follows a recent string of high-profile cases involving alleged squatters. Alleged squatters had caused construction on a community center in Bayside to be pushed back after moving in in 2022, the property owner told PIX11 News.
Squatters were also allegedly seen at the Triple Crown Diner in Bellerose, and got in through the roof, neighbors said.
Several New York City Council members have pushed to change the laws around squatting.
PIX11 News reached out to the District Attorney's office for comment.
Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.