Milwaukee landlord dealing with string of break-ins following deadly fire
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The landlord of the Highland Court Apartments is speaking out, saying the complex has been dealing with a string of break-in's following the deadly fire there in May.
"Trauma in their life," said Tony Panosian. "Now they've got to put up with stolen [expletive]."
Surveillance video within the Highland Court Apartments shows a man who police say broke into the complex, going door to door with a bag.
"I heard someone walking around on the third floor and called 911, and they were here in 5 minutes," said Panosian.
Panosian says he made that call last Thursday. When Milwaukee police responded, they found Deuntae Watson trespassing.
"It's 85 apartments, that’s a lot of places to hide," said Panosian.
Police say Watson tried to escape through a boarded up window but was taken into custody. However, Panosian says Watson isn't the first to break in since the deadly fire in that killed five people in May.
"They are climbing in windows, doors, whatever," said Panosian. "They broke that glass out of the upper lobby door, but that got boarded up."
He says he hates to see people take advantage of his residents that have already had so much taken from them and is devastated to hear them lose the little they have left.
"He goes hey I got renters insurance, but they took all my meds, they took my tv, they took all my wife's jewelry," said Panosian. "What can I say?"
Something longtime neighbors in the area stand by, frustrated to see their neighbors being targeted.
"It makes me feel that people are being revictimized and it's already something on our hearts, because we are longtime neighbors," said Anna Lampkins, who lives next to the complex. "Me living in the building next to them, so our hearts are already breaking for their situations."
Watson is facing multiple charges including criminal trespassing and obstructing an officer.
MPD says the cause of what caused the fire back in May is still under investigation.
Panosian says residents can finally get access to their apartments on Monday and grab their stuff.