NYC’s infamous ‘Range Rover’ squatter finds new home — in prison — for taking over woman’s $1M family house
Sham Landlord Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Squatting in Queens Home
A shocking case of predatory squatting in Queens has come to an end as Brian Rodriguez, a sham landlord, was sentenced to two years in prison for his role in taking over a woman’s $1 million house in Flushing.
In a bizarre turn of events, Rodriguez not only rented out rooms in the house but also convinced NYPD officers that the rightful owner, Adele Andaloro, was wrongfully evicting him. The confusion led to Andaloro being handcuffed while a news crew captured the incident on camera, ultimately helping her case.
Andaloro, who inherited the home from her parents, arrived in February 2024 to find the property filled with squatters and the locks changed. She confronted Rodriguez, who claimed to be leasing the house, leading to a series of confrontations and legal battles.
After Andaloro had the locks replaced, Rodriguez forcefully entered the property, prompting police to escort her off the premises. Rodriguez later claimed that a mysterious individual named “Ronnie Ferg” had scammed him into believing he was renting the house.
New York City law allows individuals to claim squatter’s rights after being on a property for 30 days. Prosecutors in Queens eventually charged Rodriguez with falsely claiming to be a legal tenant facing eviction and harassment. He pleaded guilty to falsely reporting an incident, resulting in his sentencing.
During his court appearance, Rodriguez, dressed in a black sweatsuit, was accompanied by two women, one of whom sobbed loudly. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz stated, “Brian Rodriguez thought that he could get away with squatting inside someone else’s home and make a profit for himself based on his fictitious account of being a tenant.”
Andaloro expressed relief that the ordeal was finally over and stated her desire to return to a “regular, boring everyday life” after the tumultuous experience.
