A landlord was able to learn the true identity of a 'serial squatter' after initially being given a false name.
This week the Rowlet Police Department charged Heather Schwab with an offense related to squatting in a Texas home.
Schwab is charged with fraudulent securing of document execution of over $30,000 and less than $150,000, which is a felony.
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Police believe Schwab is still in the state and have called on the public to contact them if they have any information about her.
In 2018, Schwab was convicted in Colorado for felony identity theft in a case also connected to serial squatting. After serving just 16 months behind bars, she was released in 2020.
Jessica Davis, the victim in Schwab’s alleged new squatting situation, has praised the police for issuing a warrant but said this all could have been avoided.
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“Even though I am happy that there is a warrant for Heather’s arrest, I feel like this could have been dealt with earlier if the Dallas County and Rowlett Police did not ignore my calls for help, my proof of fraud, and my wants on filing a report on Heather at the beginning,” she told Fox News Digital.
According to police, Schwab's charge follows a rental agreement she had with Davis, pledging she would pay $3,100 per month in a 12-month contract.
Davis also explained how she realized the true identity of Schwab.
After listing a home with four bedrooms, a pool and a hot tub, on Apartments.com and Zillow, Davis and her husband, Colin, were initially pleased to hear someone was interested in the property.
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Davis said she received a message from an account that used the name Heather Schwab, but was told that she was using her friend's Zillow account.
Schwab then proceeded to give the couple the name Rayes Ruybal.
While waiting for a payment to clear, Davis allowed Schwab to move into the property with her 17-year-old son but - according to Davis - after the payments failed, she never received any money.
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In an attempt to do her own background check, Davis Googled the name Heather Schwab. In doing this she found articles from 2018 about her arrest that eventually led to her imprisonment.
Prosecutors dubbed Schwab a 'serial squatter', a nickname that was clearly concerning to Davis.
Following this, she contacted local officials only to be told It was a civil matter.
"I called the police. I called the DA. I called the chief of police. The assistant chief of police. The Justice Department and the courts, like if I could get a number, I called it," Davies said.
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Schwab finally moved out of the property last month but the Davis couple have complained of the state she left it in, saying it stinks of urine and cigarette smoke, as well as being trashed with food and litter.
If Schwab is arrested and found guilty, she faces up to 10 years in prison or a $10,000 fine.
UNILAD has contacted the Rowlett Police Department for comment.
Gerrard Kaonga