Squatters return to Washington property immediately after SWAT raid

As reported by KIRO 7, Snohomish County police on Wednesday raided the Lynnwood property due to the crime "stemming" from the home's inhabitants. During the investigation, police said they discovered 52 cars — some of which had been reported as stolen — drugs, and firearms.

After homeowner Laleh Kashani changed the locks on all the doors, the squatters forced their way back in. According to Kashani, the squatters have been an issue at her house for approximately three years — since the start of the Covid pandemic.

"A bunch of criminals. They took over the house and we couldn't collect a dollar of rent, and have a mortgage," she told the outlet.

After the raid Kashani said, "We changed the locks and they even broke that. So they should at least be arrested for breaking in, and they didn’t do that."

Snohomish County Lieutenant David Hayes, who was among the few dozen police officers who raided the home, said the Snohomish County Auto Theft Task Force (SNOCAT) had been monitoring the property's activity for six months. After multiple criminal complaints, it was deemed to be a "nuisance," KIRO 7 reported.

Hayes said the squatters had been using the property as a "chop shop."

"Multiple people living or staying there, short term and long term. They have no ownership of the property and it's very unhealthy and unstable living conditions," the lieutenant said.

Five people were arrested by police. Three suspects were wanted on prior warrants. One suspect made bail soon after arrest and neighbors reported that a group of squatters returned after the arrest.

Neighbor Benny Whitson said, "I thought that it would be over, but then it started. As soon as they left last night, it started up."

According to Hayes, it is a civil process to properly evict squatters and the responsibility falls on the property owners to follow through in the court system to guarantee all squatters are permanently removed.

Hayes said, "That (process) sometimes gets a little bit long. Unfortunately, they still are going to have some continued issues because there’s really nothing holding those folks from coming back on the property."