ROSEVILLE, Minn. - A homeless man is charged after police say he tried to live inside a home that was for sale, attempted to change the locks and tried to chase the new homeowner out of the property.
John Calvin Gill, 46, is charged with second-degree burglary for the series of events that began back in May.
According to the criminal complaint, a realtor contacted Roseville Police and told them Gill started asking him about the property that was for sale on Skillman Avenue. He told the realtor that he was homeless and unemployed but wanted the home.
The realtor told him he'd need to get a job and acquire a loan in order to purchase the home. The two communicated back and forth, until the realtor told Gill the home was sold and no longer available.
At that time, the realtor was informed from the former homeowner that he was starting to get mail at the home addressed to Gill.
On May 6, Roseville Police responded to the home on a report of a suspicious man. The former homeowner told authorities the man claimed he bought the home and had the paperwork to prove it but only showed an application that had nothing to do with the Skillman Avenue property.
Inside the entryway of the home, police found a pillow, blanket and other items belonging to Gill. He was told to stay away from the property by authorities.
On May 12, police were again dispatched to the property, where Gill had allegedly entered the home without permission. He was issued a trespass notice and told once again, to stay away from the home.
That same day, Gill contacted the Roseville Police and requested a property watch at the home.
Six days later, police received a piece of mail from Gill. It was the trespass notice with handwritten notes scribbled on it.
On June 3, the new homeowner arrived to the home and found Gill inside. Police were called and Gill was issued another citation.
Five days later, police received a phone call from a man who ran a website called coronerme.com. The man said he received an online form that a coroner was needed at the property's address, as there was a dead body in the basement.
On June 10, the homeowner contacted police saying he was extremely concerned for his safety, since Gill was claiming there was a dead body in the home. Since the claim was not true, the homeowner took it as a veiled threat from Gill.
The homeowner obtained a harassment restraining order against Gill but it wasn't immediately served, due to Gill's homeless status.
On June 23, Roseville Police responded again to the property and found Gill inside attempting to change the locks. The existing lock on the door into the residence was damaged with drill marks and part of the lock was removed and laying on the floor. The homeowner told police he returned home with his mother and his niece and found Gill at the door, bent over with a drill in his hand.
Gill is currently in custody.
