Queens, NY – Laurel Bay has been indicted on charges of burglary, criminal trespass, and additional crimes for unlawfully occupying a vacant single-family home in Howard Beach. The property, vacated since 2012, was managed by its out-of-state homeowner. Neighbor reports to the police about suspicious activities led to Bay’s arrest.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz emphasized the legality of entering and staying in a property without consent, stating the defendant attempted to claim the home unjustly. Bay now faces serious charges thanks in part to alert neighbors who reported the situation.
On Tuesday, Bay, a 49-year-old resident of 198th Street in Hollis, was arraigned on a five-count indictment. The charges include burglary in the second degree and criminal trespass in the second degree. Supreme Court Justice Toni Cimino has set the court date for November 26, with a potential maximum sentence of 15 years if Bay is convicted on the top count.
The arrest occurred after an eyewitness saw Bay moving items at 8:40 p.m. on July 18. Upon police arrival, she was exiting the premises, leading to her first arrest and a desk appearance ticket.
