February 11, 2023 10:30 a.m.

Deputies with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office jailed four people found living in an abandoned house Northeast of Myrtle Creek on Friday night.

A DCSO report said a deputy had received information regarding the crime in the 500 block of Big Lick Lane. The owner of the property, who is living in another state, was tracked down and said he didn’t give permission for anyone to move in. He wanted them charged.

The four squatters, two men ages 23 and 20, and two women ages 24 and 18, said since the house had been abandoned, they believed they could make it their home. The interior of the residence was littered with garbage throughout.

The four were each charged with first-degree burglary and first-degree criminal trespass. All were detained without bail.