Man jailed for 'squatting' in upscale W. Pa. home

[April 09, 2011]  MURRYSVILLE, Pa. (AP) -- A man has been jailed on charges that he took up residence in a $500,000 western Pennsylvania home without the owner's permission.

Frederick Harris III, of Wilmerding, remained in the Westmorland County Prison Friday on burglary, criminal trespass and criminal mischief charges filed Wednesday when Murrysville police say they found him in the home.

Police say the 43-year-old Harris had toured the home with a real estate agent who refused to give him keys. He later broke a window, pulled up the 'for sale' sign and moved in anyway. Police were alerted when a caretaker noticed someone in the house.

Police Chief Thomas Seefeld tells the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that Harris' "car was in the garage. He had personal items in the home. He basically was making a home there."

Online court records don't list an attorney for Harris.

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Information from: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, http://pghtrib.com/

[Associated Press]

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