A pair of South Carolina women were caught squatting in a home and provided a fraudulent lease to authorities, police said.
Karen Gail Smith, 40, and Megan Brooke Williamson, 36, were arrested in May after they were found inside a Sumter home on April 25 and showed a fraudulent lease when confronted by police, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office said.
Police had been called to the property after its manager reported finding the lock pried open, WYFF reported, and discovered the women living inside with a 15-year-old juvenile.
An investigation of the premises found a car belonging to the City of Sumter with its VIN scratched off, along with evidence that the women had been stealing from nearby animal rescue and at least two of its employees.
“It may be hard for the average person to believe there are people in this world who will lie, cheat, steal, and even worse while taking no thought about the needs of others,” said Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis.
“But these suspects appear to be another example of criminals without a conscience,” he said.
Police charged Williamson with third-degree burglary for entering an unoccupied home, and both were charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, financial transaction card theft, financial identify theft, and other charges, WYFF reported.
The women were arrested in May, but Williamson was released nine days later on May 30 after coming up with over $28,000 bond.
She is wanted again, however, having racked up eight additional warrants for arrest since her release.
“Our investigators go the extra mile to find the truth, and if it were not for their tenacious hard work, many of these charges may have been missed,” said Sheriff Dennis.
Smith remains behind bars on nearly $60,000 bond.