SPOKANE -- Squatters are tearing apart abandoned homes in the path of the North-South Freeway. Police say they are literally stealing everything, including the kitchen sink. They say the 4000 block of East Second is one of the worst. Nearly every vacant home has been ransacked.
The Department of Transportation bought 250 homes so far in the East-Central neighborhood. Police patrol the area every day. They say 80% of the vacant homes are vandalized. They have found light fixtures missing as well as sinks, toilets and bath tubs.
This is not a one time hit. While the thieves cash in, they also stay the night. They have replaced dead bolts with their own and had keys to go in and out.
Stephanie Polley is one of the neighbors whose home will butt up right against the freeway. For months she has been living on the edge.
"Someone went in and tried to stop the person from stealing copper and they actually stabbed the person," said Polley.
Terri Bayley is also a neighbor and she says things are better since the police arrests, but feels not much can be done until the houses are torn down. That is expected to be done in about 3 to 4 weeks.
