GROVES, Texas — A Southeast Texas realtor was left in shock after she showed a house in Groves and learned that a squatter had been living there.
Holly Hinds says that in her 35 years in the business, she's never seen anything like this before.
Broken glass, wet floors and clothes were enough to convince Hinds that she needed to leave the home right away and call the police to figure out who was behind the break in.
Hinds says the squatter left the home before the appointment with the future homeowners.
"I opened the master bedroom door and there was a mattress on the floor, there were beer bottles, there was a bed tray, clothes on the floor," said Hinds.
Hinds and her husband had an appointment with potential homeowners that they won't be forgetting anytime soon.
"My husband came around the corner about then and said 'Get out. Somebody's here. Somebody's been here," Hinds said.
Hinds quickly called Groves Police. The evidence that showed someone had been living in the house include signs of forced entry, broken glass by the kitchen window, wet shower floors and a makeshift living area.
"He had handwashed his clothes. They were hanging in the garage, dripping, it was still soaking wet. He had an electric skillet and he had came and cooked," Hinds told 12News.
The current homeowner says the squatter likely found the dirty mattress somewhere else and wheeled it in with a stolen city trashcan, which was also found at the scene.
Hinds believes the squatter was only there for a one night.
"It's been showing at least four times a week. And so this had to have just happened," she said.
Interim Groves City Marshal Chris Robin tells 12News the owner's cooperation, in this instance, is key to legally removing a squatter from the property.
"They can come out and say 'Yeah, that damage to that window, or that damage to that door, that was not there. I'd like to pursue charges.' We'd get the proper documentation and we'd go from there. We can't prosecute property crimes without a victim, so help us help you," he said.
Hinds says she's lucky the squatter wasn't there when she arrived, and she was able to avoid a potentially dangerous situation.
"It's one of those things I think as realtors, listen to your instincts and be cautious," said Hinds.
Robin tells 12News that a person of interest in this case has been identified. He says this person was arrested Tuesday on a burglary of a habitation charge, which began as a separate squatting situation.