An American couple returned from vacation to find their door broken in, belongings gone, and a pair of squatters sleeping in their bed—the only piece of furniture left behind.
The Greenbelt City, Maryland couple made the discovery after returning from a seven day vacation on April 5.
The theft was remarkably thorough. Residents estimated the loss amounted to about $49,000, and included everything in the apartment from clothing to kitchen cabinet doors.
The couple found a black male and a white woman lying on their bed upon arrival at their apartment. After a brief confrontation, the intruders left the residence before authorities could arrive on the scene.
Greenbelt City Police say the couple remains at large and are encouraging anyone with relevant information about the event to call 301-474-7200 or email greenbeltpd@greenbeltmd.gov.
Police Officer Hannah Glasgow detailed the strange theft.
“It’s just so devastating to come home from what was probably a really nice vacation and be excited to sleep in your own bed and then just be totally rocked not only with the fact that someone’s been in your space, but they’ve taken everything,” Glasgow said.
She explained that when initially confronted by the apartment residents, the intruding couple were calm and even explained they removed the apartment’s contents. They went so far as to show the apartment residents how they had broken into the residence. But when the confrontation became a bit more aggressive, the couple decided to leave.
One neighbor in the apartment complex saw the theft in progress.
“I actually saw appliances lying out in the front. I thought they were replacing them not taking them," said fellow resident Betty Morgan.
“I’m still shocked. Truly shocked to hear that happened right next to us and it’s a little scary," she said.
As of publication, the Greenbelt City Policy had not yet detained any suspects in relation to the theft.