Gary man charged with taking over vacant Winfield home for his family
A 35-year-old Gary man has been charged with burglary and unlawfully carrying a handgun after he illegally took control of a vacant Winfield home and converted it for use by him and his family.
Devonte Daquan Malone was arrested on Tuesday and is in custody at the Lake County Jail. Malone has been charged by the Lake County Prosecutor's Office with two felonies: burglary and unlawful carrying of a handgun, and four misdemeanors, criminal trespass, resisting law enforcement, theft, and possession of marijuana, according to a release from Winfield Police.
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is assisting Winfield Police with the investigation.
Police said that on Sunday a real estate agent was preparing to show a house to a prospective buyer near Price Street and 104th Place and thought it was odd that the 'For Sale' sign was missing, the Realtor lockbox on the door was removed and the front door locks to the house had been replaced.
When the Realtor knocked on the door, a man answered and told the Realtor the house was no longer for sale. The Realtor called the listing agent to inquire about why the house, listed at $415,000, was still an active listing if it had already been sold. The listing agent knew right away something was wrong and notified Winfield Police.
Winfield police canvassed the neighborhood as part of their investigation and were told by residents that the new homeowners had moved into the house two to three weeks earlier. According to Winfield Police Chief Robert Byrd, 'Because of the genuine concern and helpful cooperation of those residents, police were able to gain a substantial amount of information to further the investigation.'
'We certainly appreciate the assistance of our residents in helping us solve this crime and we remind everyone to always call the police whenever they see something suspicious,' Byrd said.
Malone identified himself as a sovereign citizen who serves as Minister and Chief Trustee of the Devine Dominion Magna Trust Property of Merrillville. He provided self-made Sovereign Real Estate Redemption forms and Notice of Non-Consent to Statutory Jurisdiction documents to the police to show that he lawfully possessed the residence.
Police removed multiple firearms, 458 grams of marijuana products, and several computers from the residence, according to the release.
Anyone with additional information is asked to call the Winfield Police Department at 219-779-9326.
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