Chicago Squatter Pleads Guilty to Breaking into Home

CHICAGO -- A man from Chicago faces charges for squatting in homes south of the city. His name is Lashawn Rankine. He pleaded guilty to residential burglary last week. Court records show this happened in Evergreen Park.​

Police caught Rankine moving into a house for sale. He made a fake lease to trick the owner. Officials say he planned to cheat the homeowner out of the property. This led to his arrest on burglary and forgery charges.​

Rankine's Past with Squatting

ABC7's I-Team has tracked squatting for years. Rankine's name appears in three cases. They include spots like Tinley Park and Hazel Crest. Police linked him to trouble in those south suburbs before the Evergreen Park bust.​

Light Sentence Sparks Anger

The judge gave Rankine two years of probation. He must pay back $624 to the victim. He cannot leave Illinois without permission. He also cannot own a gun. The homeowner called it "a slap on the wrist." He told ABC7 the punishment feels too easy.​

What Happens Next

Rankine avoids jail time for now. But probation means close watch by the court. Victims hope this stops more squatting scams. ABC7's Samantha Chatman covers these stories. Call 312-750-7TIP with tips for her team.​