Laurel Bay has been charged with theft, criminal trespass, and other crimes for living in an empty Howard Beach single-family home without permission. The building had been empty since 2012, and was being taken care of by its out-of-state owner. Bay was arrested after a neighbor told the cops about some strange behavior.
Melinda Katz, the district attorney for Queens, said it was legal to enter and stay in someone else’s home without permission and that the suspect was trying to take the home without permission. Bay is now facing major charges, in part because concerned neighbors told the police what was going on.
Bay, who lives at 198th Street in Hollis and is 49 years old, was charged with five crimes on Tuesday. Two counts of criminal trespass and theft in the second degree are also being charged. Supreme Court Justice Toni Cimino set the court date for November 26. If Bay is found guilty on the top count, she could get up to 15 years in prison.
At 8:40 p.m. on July 18, Bay was arrested after someone saw him moving things. When the cops arrived, she was leaving the building, which led to her first arrest and a desk appearance ticket.