Police: Squatters Took Over Iraq War Veteran’s Home, Sold His Belongings
- Posted on February 1, 2012 at 11:31am by
Madeleine Morgenstern
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Police say Johnny Wayne Bell and Faylisa Danielle Bailey broke into an Iraq war veteran's home and began selling off his belongings. (Image source: Houston Chronicle)
Texas police say a pair of squatters took over an Iraq war veteran‘s home and began selling off his family’s belongings.
Faylisa Danielle Bailey, 30, and Johnny Wayne Bell, 47, are accused of breaking into the Liberty County, Texas home of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Sam Burbank and holding a garage sale of his possessions. Burbank just returned from his third tour in Iraq and has been living with his wife and two sons at Fort Hood.
“They kicked open the door. They removed all the items out of the house and started selling off the property of the homeowners,” Capt. Rex Evans with the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office told Houston Fox affiliate KRIV-TV.
Bailey and Bell were arrested Tuesday after a Burbank family relative happened to drive by and see a recliner chair, a table and a mattress all for sale in the front yard, Houston ABC affiliate KTRK-TV reported. When officers arrived, they even found customers examining the yard sale items.
Investigators said the squatters lived in the house for a few days before being discovered, sleeping on an old mattress on the floor, the Houston Chronicle reported. Evans said police also discovered a “substantial amount” methamphetamine belonging to the pair. Both had been on parole for drug possession.
“We found syringes and spoons and other evidence of them using methamphetamines inside that house,” Evans said.
According to the Chronicle, the Burbank family packed their furniture and other belongings into a shed in the backyard after he was assigned to Fort Hood seven years ago.
“It devastated us,” Hollie Burbank told the newspaper of the squatters. “We got married in that house. It’s been in my family for three generations.”
She said her family would come back to the house periodically to get away and would let relatives stay there while they were gone.
She said they don‘t yet know everything that’s missing.
“But there are a lot of sentimental things there that I could never replace,” she said. Among the items investigators found was a torn photo of her grandmother on the lawn.
Evans told KTRK he found the case very upsetting.
“It’s very disturbing to know that man is serving his country and risking his life for us, and to have somebody force their way into his home while he’s away and then to literally put his stuff out in the yard and just sell it — it’s very disturbing,” he said.
(H/T: Blaze reader John)
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Comments (128)
PeachyinGA
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:16pmThe wife’s family has owned that house for three generations!!! What the HECK kind of neighbors do they have??? SHAME on them for allowing this to happen and possibly even helping steal through purchasing at the garage sale. They had to know why the family was gone! This country is no longer one that I recognize!
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:23pmHmmmm lemme see here… Both out on Parole… Im not sure , but i think i may have spotted the problem here…. Hmmmm
Report Post »kentuckypatriot
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:51pmYou raise a very good point about the neighbors.
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 1:02pmahhh…the lessons of OWS seem to have taken root with these two meth heads.
Report Post »dmforman
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 1:19pmAs the person in charge of neighborhood watch in my neighborhood, I can’t get people to call the police when they see strange things. They don’t want to bother the police. I continually say to them, this is why we pay taxes.
Report Post »PeachyinGA
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 1:43pm@DMFORMAN …. I understand. Apathy is the bane of our society. Print out this story at your next N.W. meeting and point out how badly Capt. Evans of the sheriffs department feels. It might light a fire under them.
Report Post »Halloween
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 2:14pmYou all make it seem so simple, that the family just split and through poor planing suffered the consequences. The family has relatives that stay there periodically (people traffic) and the neighbors can not keep track of who is family and who is not (neighborhood watch). The family is also military, not a lot of money if you have ever served this county, but most of you are just a bunch of worthless cowards sitting on the couch playing Warcraft in mom’s basement.
Report Post »ijava44
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 3:58pmThe poster children of stupidity, losers and brain dead. Their pictures next to the webster dictionary definition of brainless and slothful and addicted. Good Job losers you made the blaze for your inhuman acts.
Report Post »navydoc2008
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 4:15pm@BRYAN
It seems to me that you may be a little ignorant. Let me try to enlighten you. I have a “shed” in my yard that is 12‘ X 16’ and quite possibly nicer than some peoples houses. If I were to take orders overseas I will probably lock out household items up in that “shed,” and rent the house out. That “shed” should be just as secure as my house.
As for all Soldiers being lacking common sense…. Speaks a ton of your ignorance. Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen put their lives on the line everyday so that you continue to have the right to show your stupidity.
Report Post »Leader1776
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 4:54pm@Bryan from Florida
Report Post »You’re kidding, right? Once again, blame the victim? Name-call the victim? About naming calling …………… you’re an idiot.
Teaparty-grammy
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 5:48pmA more interesting question would be, what are these winners doing out on the street on “parole?”
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 9:40pmYo BRYAN:
A man should be able to keep his front door open, and the only thing that would come in would be some wind blown leaves and a mouse or two …
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:15pmJust like Democrats, they will now be living off the taxpayer….
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:46pmOWS would do the same thing to a veteran.
Report Post »2theADDLED
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 1:21pmObviously OWS and barry supporters maybe he will give them pardons.
Report Post »Kisses6350
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 2:07pm*********smirks**********
Report Post »Grillmark55
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 2:13pmBetter than sending them to prison, send them to where Sgt. Burbank is stationed and see if he and his buddies can give them a little taste of “military justice”. I doubt that these two loosers would do any more B&E after that (if they were able to walk again, that is).
Report Post »yiska8
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:13pmJust up the road from us. This is a damn shame. I saw it on the local news last night. I wanted to cry for the military man and his family. I hope these meth heads stay in jail and get the withdrawal symptoms they so rightly deserve. Things are really getting bad out there. Had that Staff Seargent come home to check on his house, the Castle doctrine would have kicked in and we would probably have two less meth heads to deal with.
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 4:45pmMaybe, just maybe, people will read that and bring back what they bought. Who knows, it could happen. If I had bought something, read that, I hope I would do the right thing. In fact, pretty sure I would. I answer to a Higher Authority. And I couuldn’t face myself, either.
Report Post »caligulaboy
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:12pmTwo more assclowns that are useless to society. Capital punishment needs a slight expansion and it needs to include these two.
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:49pmI have heard it argued that Caligula was misunderstood.
He made his horse a Senator not because he was insane but he was mocking the Senatorial Class of Romans who believed that high office was their birth right. Does the Kennedy seat ring a bell?
Who supports OWS? Rich people behind the scenes, pulling the scenes. Soros? Others?
OWS has already occupied homes.
Report Post »TheGreatBald1
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 1:02pmBoth prime examples of the phrases “waste of oxygen” & “burden to society”…..
Report Post »Ironeagle
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:12pmLosers.
Report Post »scuba13
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:31pmWhat do you expect from Encinom and Monicne?
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:12pmIt must be a genetic thing that criminals are born STUPID LOOKING…. that must be what leads them to a life of crime… They always look like complete and utter MORONS !!!
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:19pmPetty criminals yes but, look at Madoff and Corzine They look quite intelligent.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:34pm@gonzo
Report Post »But Obama stole trillions,,,, and he looks like a moron !
RJJinGadsden
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 3:28pmDETROIT PAPERBOY,
Report Post »With those ears, he favors Mickey Mouse more. Then again, he has been running a Mickey Mouse administration.
Lord forgive me, that was certainly an insult to the Mouse.
Elena2010
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:12pmSend those tweakers butts back to jail and leave them there!
Report Post »Dinkiecb
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 1:21pmBetter still pack em up and send em to Iraq in the middle of the desert with no water, naked, and let the iraqies know they are thieves, child molesters, her a lesbian and him gay, an I bet ya they’ll go find em an take care of em.
Report Post »Vic Tory
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:10pmI like to think there is a special place in Hell for someone who would do this.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:57pmThere is. It’s called either ows, the unions, the black panthers, or, are you ready? The dimorats party.
Report Post »Steelhead
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 1:09pmtexas
Report Post »1ontheright
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 1:26pm@steelhead – you are a fool.
Report Post »2GodBeTheGlory
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:09pmIt is disheartening that this soldier was off protecting our freedom and these people where stealing his belongings. No these two will be incarcerated into a building where they will have access to education, cable, food, clothing, bed, and medical, all on the man they robbed tax’s. Does anyone see the injustice here? Is it any wonder that people would pick a life of crime where they have a high likley hood of being caught? If they do get caught, they don’t have to work to have everything handed to them. Where is the incentive for those to get out (minimum security). Prove to me that jails work to rehabilitate those that are incarcerated. Prove to me that my tax paying dollars are spent in the most effective way.
Report Post »CodexMan
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 2:33pmSend them to live in the Arizona desert in a tent and have them wear pink with bread & water twice a day.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:09pmThe level that people are willing to stoop to never ceases to amaze me.
Report Post »wboehmer
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:07pmHow are these squatters different than the occupies? They just take over someone else’s property & even sell it to support their drug habit.
Sorry, but I’m outta sympathy for this trash of our society.
Report Post »Crush_Liberalism
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:12pmHuman genital warts…that is what they are.
Report Post »SaveOurRpublic
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:04pmOWS fingerprints all over it
Report Post »4738774
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:04pmOccupyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!
Report Post »Jeepzea
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:02pmBelieve me, I am no supporter of Democrats or Occudorks but these people are criminals who are doing what criminals do, steal and sell anything available to support their drug habit. They probably have no political preference.
Report Post »I am 'We the People
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:51pmIt’s sad but I have found, in general, that the more criminalistic people are the more they will only spout the democratic mantra.
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:57pmRight, probably have no political preference because they don’t think that far ahead.
OWS people occupy homes. If 2 people worked 340 years & bought a 2nd home to retire to, they would occupy it & say why they should have two homes. That pretty shows they politics of envy.
Report Post »They would occupy a veterans’s home because he has more & he is evil because he is engaged in war.
JP4JOY
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 1:56pmWoW Walkabout,
Report Post »No more bloodymarys for you!!!
Cymbaline
Posted on February 2, 2012 at 5:16amAsk ‘em who they voted for. Is there really any doubt?
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 11:57amows supporters for sure
Who is starting a fund for the Veteran and his family? I will gladly chip in. Post it on THE BLAZE and let’s “git `er done!” AMERICANS.
Report Post »Mtroom
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:30pmCall these druggies parole board.. That’s who needs to pay for it..How many drug tests were done on these two and how many times did they report to the parole officer?…Is it parole or probation? Felony drug possession, or misdemeanor?..Nothing to do with OWS here..Just an employee not doing their job is what it looks like to me.
Report Post »Kisses6350
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 2:15pmGee Granny…………. You start the fund. We’ll follow your lead!
Report Post »Scooder
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 7:25pmIf someone knows how to get that going I will gladly make my donation. I’m sure Staff Sgt. Burbank would greatly appreciate it and if he didn‘t need it I’m sure he could donate it to something like The Wounded Warrior Project.
Report Post »SmallGovBigGuns
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 11:56amlooks like we can find the occupy wall street morons whereabouts….
Report Post »PeachyinGA
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:27pmThose two look like they‘ve been so stoned for the last decade that they couldn’t tell you who is president, let alone what OWS is about.
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 11:56amDrug addicts would sell their mothers soul for a fix. Yes these are despicable people and this time I hope they go to jail for a very long time.
Report Post »IMCHRISTIAN
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 11:50amWhat a disservice to a serviceman and his family. It is a disgrace the way this Country has gone down in disgrace in the last few years or anytime as far as that is concerned. We will not be judging God someday but he will be judging us all. You can run but not hide. I will send my prayers for this family and for all that have possessions vandalized or destroyed. God Bless our servicemen and women.
Report Post »thegreatcarnac
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 11:44amWell……the socialist programs are being promoted more and more by the regime. I am surprised that the obama regime did not intervene and make the police leave those criminals alone and give them the house. Afterall…‘each according to his need’…..
Report Post »UBETHECHANGE
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 11:42amWhat a couple of lowlifes!
Report Post »clockwatcher
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 11:42amThe support team for the black jimmy carter. Gone in 284 days. America free at last.
Report Post »Bible Quotin' Science Fearin' Conservative American
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:02pmSince these people won’t be the millions voting for Obama, don’t count on it. Mittens has a tough battle ahead. He’s not going to win.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:30pmHey Bible quotin,
Report Post »Obama is gonna lose Bigtime, and the the coat tails are gonna reach down to local dog catcher… and the Democrat establishment knows it , and they are crapping in their Depends…. Obama has something this time around… A dismal marxist track record… And trillion dollar defecits… Just watch and see…. This is gonna reach down to judges, local sheriff races and state legislatures… And you know it, and your scared….
Bible Quotin' Science Fearin' Conservative American
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 2:58pmI’m not scared. You’ve created a fictional person that you call Obama and when your boy Mittens gets up there to debate him, it won‘t match Obama’s actual record. Plus, Romney is a great example of the 1% that has drawn so much ire the past year. As much as you may hate OWS, it was global. So much larger and more dedicated than the Tea Party and it shows how out of touch your fringe voters are to try to run a guy like Mitt at this time in U.S. history. Good luck with that. And thanks to Newter for doing all the work for Obama.
Report Post »yiska8
Posted on February 2, 2012 at 1:38pm@BibleQSFCA
Report Post »You left out that OWS was global because of Soros, Whiney Facebookers who employ Robert Gibbs, and Van Jone, Fox Pivens leading the chanting and encouraging repulsive hatred, anti-semitism, and defecation, rape, and child neglect. You’re right. OWS by far surpassed the Tea Party since most Tea Partiers were at WORK or finding WORK. I guess the line should form for the OWS rioters to receive their trophy like they have their whole lives. Obama will cheat and get us into another war to secure the win. And people thought Bush was evil. Obama is the devil’s right hand.
ChiefGeorge
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 11:40amThis is the new America, this is what hope looks like.
Look these people are idiots to be sure! Their drug habit is what caused them to act in this way. We need stricter drug use laws (sentences) maybe even the death sentence for fooling with the stuff. Hoepfully ppl who bought stolen property will return it.
Report Post »ADNIL
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 1:04pmNope! Stricter laws only make things worse for the rest of us. Criminals do not care about laws. We need a new approach.
Report Post »randy
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 11:40amObama Voters
Report Post »Godfather.1
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 11:49amDoubtful.
Report Post »randy
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 11:58amHighly LIKLEY…..
Report Post »M13
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:22pmIt’s Encinom and Monicne back in the news again.
Report Post »godhatesacoward
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:33pmI highly doubt they vote!
Report Post »Fiddlededee
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 11:40amWhere were the neighbors? Didn’t THEY see something odd in this? Really??? Some great neighbors.
Report Post »Banshee34
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 11:46amI was wondering where the neighbors were as well. My neighbors sure wouldn’t let anything like that happen. I am truly sorry for the family though!
Report Post »JawaJam
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 11:52amThe houses next to them might be empty as well with the whole housing market crash
Report Post »HKS
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 11:38amAha, Don’t you just love Democrats. Share the wealth, ya ows me.
Report Post »honor007
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 11:43amwhat about this screams democrat? Kind of a weird comment.
This was about a Veteran who was risking his life and thugs stealing his belongings and profiting from it. Plain low-life thieves with no conscious?
Report Post »randy
Posted on February 1, 2012 at 11:59amEverything about it screams lowlife, welfare recipient, democrats.
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