A Summerville woman and a homeless man were charged with burglary after they were found squatting inside a vacant apartment building on College Street in Summerville.

Police were called to investigate a burglary that had taken place on Jones Street at a vacant home.  The owner of the home told police that she kept some things at the residence and had noticed that someone had been inside the residence.  Officers found evidence that someone had been inside the residence and the homeowner confirmed that items had been taken from the house, including her mother’s acoustic guitar.

Summerville Police then heard from the owner of the former Melrose Apartments, which are now vacant.  Kevin Gilliland told officers that he believed someone was staying inside the vacant apartment building and that he wanted officers to go with him to give the squatters a chance to leave without prosecution.  When officers arrived with the apartment owner, they found a couple asleep on a mattress.  In the corner of the room, officers spotted an acoustic guitar in a case.  On further investigation, police found over $2,500 worth of items, including jewelry and electronics that had been stolen from the Jones Street address.

Officers arrested thirty-one-year-old Brittany Carmon and thirty-six-year-old Billy Joe Stephens in connection with the burglary on Jones Street.  Stephens was additionally charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug related objects.