Two arrested after report of squatters in house

POST FALLS — A Post Falls woman and a Coeur d'Alene man were arrested on multiple charges Wednesday morning after people were reported squatting in a Post Falls home.

Timothy J. Roe, 30, was arrested for unlawful entry and possession of burglar tools, while Tiffany J. Thompson, 32, was arrested for possession of heroin and drug paraphernalia and resisting a police officer. She was also wanted for driving without privileges.

A resident reported that a suspicious vehicle was parked in front of the vacant house at 106 N. Ridgewood Drive, the front door had been kicked in and there were possible squatters inside.

When police responded at 7:15 a.m., Thompson was in the car with no license plates.

Thompson allegedly declined to comply to an officer's commands to exit the vehicle after it appeared she was trying to hide an item.

According to the police report, the officer had to grab Thompson by the wrist to get her out of the vehicle.

Police later found heroin in a cigarette package in Thompson's purse in the car and a glass drug pipe that apparently had been shoved between the seat and console.

While Thompson was being arrested, Roe came out of the house and allegedly tried to distract the officer with demands to let Thompson go.

The house had a posted "No Trespassing" sign on the front window that states only representatives of a property management firm should be on the property.

Roe told police he must not read well and said he didn't read that part of the sign. He added he thought the home was a rental.

A pry bar was found inside Roe's backpack in the house, according to police. The marks around the rear garage door that had been forced open matched the shape and size of the flat ends of the pry bar.

Neighbors reported people had been coming and going from the home via the rear garage door earlier in the morning.