A 51-year-old woman was arrested and charged with grand theft and burglary after she filed an Adverse Possession form with the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser’s Office. She was released after posting a $22,500 bond.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Mrs. Janella Pollock filed the Adverse Possession form on a home located at 6915 Potomac Circle, in Riverview. After being filed, the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser notified the owner of the property by mail.
The owner, who now lives in Alabama, told detectives that she had not given anyone permission to move into the vacant home. She further stated that she was forced to move because of financial difficulties, but was negotiating with the bank to pay the back-owed mortgage.
Police said Mrs. Pollack hired a locksmith February 15, 2013, and had the locks changed on the residence. Mrs. Pollack, her husband, who is a deputy with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and her teenage children moved into the residence and began living in it. She also had electricity and water restored to the home.
Once contacted by police, Mrs. Pollack and her family moved out of the house. She was arrested on August 15th, and charged with grand theft and burglary.
A spokesperson for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said Mrs. Pollock’s name was the only name that appeared on any of the documents. However, the investigation is continuing and police have not determined if other arrests will take place.
