A man featured in a 7 On Your Side investigation into squatters was arrested and faced a judge in Queens County Criminal Court Thursday morning.
Prosecutors are charging Brian Rodriguez with burglary, grand larceny, and other crimes.
“Criminal charges will be pursued when you unlawfully occupy someone else’s home,” said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz.
A 7 On Your Side Investigation that aired in March
caused the Queens District Attorney to launch its own investigation which led to the charges a month later.
Adele Andaloro says Rodriguez and others moved into the Flushing, Queens, home in the middle of the night on Feb. 6 and refused to leave. She was in the process of selling the property she had inherited from her mother.
She noticed the problem when she showed up to the house to see the front door and locks had been changed.
“I’m really fearful that these people are going to get away with stealing my home,” Andaloro told Eyewitness News when the investigation first aired.