Dexter building owner finds evidence of squatter while showing property to prospective buyer

DEXTER, Mo. -- As a downtown Dexter building was being shown to a prospective buyer this week, the building's owner got a surprise when he walked upstairs and found that someone had set up living quarters in the vacant upstairs area of the structure, the Dexter Daily Statesman reported.

According to Det. Cory Mills of the Dexter police department, the culprit was not on the premises when the owner entered the building on North Walnut Street that formerly housed the Finish Line restaurant. There was evidence upstairs, however, that someone was staying in the building.

"Along with a blanket and several food items," Mills says, "we found several electronic items believed to have been stolen in recent thefts around town."

Police are taking inventory of those items and plan to file charges against a local man in the next few days. His name and further details will be released once a warrant is issued for his arrest.