Troopers: Squatters Caught Living In Beach House

[media-credit name=”David Howard / Delaware State Police” align=”aligncenter” width=”480″][/media-credit]

Milford- The Delaware State Police have arrested three suspects in connection with a residential burglary in the Slaughter Beach area, according to Public Information Officer Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe.

Jaffe said the incident occurred on Saturday, February 10, 2018, at approximately 8:36 p.m., when Troopers responded to the 600 block of Bay Avenue, Slaughter Beach, for a reported burglary in which homeless subjects were squatting in the residence.

Upon arrival, contact was made with the homeowner who stated that he responded to the summer residence because he noticed an increase on the electric bill for the property. Upon arrival to the residence, the homeowner saw one subject, identified as 19-year-old Jacob Kantowski walking in the kitchen area while another subject identified as 20-year-old Sierra Grimsled was in the living room area, according to Jaffe. A subsequent search of the residence, yielded damage to the rear door and door frame, several small holes in the wall, and damage to an antique lamp, said Jaffe.

Further investigation revealed that a third suspect not present in the residence at the time was 49-year-old David L. Howard of Lincoln, according to Jaffe. Howard was identified as the suspect who forced entry into the residence, added Jaffe. Howard later turned himself in at Troop 7 on Sunday, February 11, 2018.

Both Kantowski and Grimsled were taken into custody without incident and transported to Troop 7. They were both charged with Burglary 2nd, Criminal Mischief, Conspiracy 2nd, and Theft of Services. They were arraigned out of the Justice of the Peace Court 3 and released on $3200.00 unsecured bond.

Howard was charged with Burglary 2nd, Possession of Burglary Tools, Criminal Mischief, Conspiracy 2nd, and Theft of Services. He was arraigned out of the Justice of the Peace Court 3 and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $16,000.00 secured bond.