Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article was edited to provide clarity and avoid any potential ambiguity as it relates to the characterization the circumstances of the incident. The details below have been updated to more clearly reflect the sequence of events as described in official sources.
A home in San Diego County's East County turned into a crime scene after a 911 call about a burglary in progress led deputies to what they say were squatters who had illegally entered the property. Responding deputies detained three people at a home on Dehesa Road in unincorporated El Cajon, seized narcotics, and returned the house to its owner while detectives kept the investigation rolling. The home had previously been rented out on Airbnb, but was not operating as an active Airbnb reservation at the time of the incident.
Alpine station response and arrests
According to Fox 5 San Diego, deputies from the Alpine station were dispatched on June 3 after a report of a burglary in progress at the Dehesa Road property. Three people were detained. Investigators determined none of them lived there and concluded that two of the three were allegedly burglarizing the home by stealing utilities. A previous long-term Airbnb renter had vacated the home, and the three individuals had illegally entered the property after the renter checked out. An Airbnb representative confirmed to Fox 5 San Diego that when the three suspected squatters were in the home, it was not through a reservation with the company.
Detectives obtained a search warrant, and 45-year-old Kevin Barlow and 45-year-old Amanda Hopkins were arrested on burglary charges tied to the alleged utility theft, Fox 5 San Diego reported. The third person who had been detained was released.
Short-term rental vulnerabilities and prevention
Short-term and transitional rentals can be especially vulnerable in that awkward gap between guests, when a place may sit empty or when booking records are not fully up to date. To help bridge that window, the San Diego County Sheriff's Office offers a free Home Vacation Check program, where trained volunteers and deputies perform exterior checks on enrolled homes and call in anything suspicious to patrol units, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office.
Property owners and hosts are also encouraged to secure meters and utilities and to maintain clear check-in and check-out records so that questionable occupancy is easier to spot and report.
Charges and investigation
Per Fox 5 San Diego, narcotics were seized during the search, and deputies turned the Dehesa Road home back over to its lawful owner. The San Diego County Sheriff's Office says the case remains under active investigation, with detectives following up on leads tied to the reported utility theft and alleged unlawful entry.
What owners should do
Hosts and property managers who suspect someone is staying in a unit illegally are advised to contact local law enforcement and preserve any documentation related to bookings and guest communications. Details on the Home Vacation Check program and non-emergency reporting options are available via the San Diego County Sheriff's Office website.
