Squatter busted living in Dan Le Batard’s home: ‘A violation’
A shocking incident unfolded at the Florida home of sports journalist Dan Le Batard, as a squatter was apprehended for unlawfully taking over the property. The intruder, identified as Colombian national Diego Alejandro Escobar Ortega, 37, was captured on video being handcuffed outside of Le Batard’s house in Miami Shores.
In a bizarre turn of events, Escobar Ortega boldly claimed that he had owned the house for decades, despite the obvious signs of forced entry through windows. The discovery of a bed and a full television in an empty upstairs room that had been locked from the inside raised suspicions and led to the squatter’s apprehension.
On his radio show, Le Batard expressed his shock and disbelief at the violation of his property. He recounted finding a drawer full of doorknobs, indicating that the intruder had planned to change the locks and fully occupy the house. The sportswriter and his wife had been constructing the Miami Shores house over the years, occasionally using it as an Airbnb or workspace.
The situation escalated when Le Batard’s assistant noticed unfamiliar items in the house and a locked upstairs room, prompting a call to the police. Upon searching the premises, officers discovered clothing, a makeshift bed, and personal items belonging to the intruder. Escobar Ortega returned to the house while the police were present, attempting to enter through a window.
Despite repeated assertions by Escobar Ortega that he had owned the house for 20 to 30 years, body cam footage revealed that the property was sold in 2020. The intruder was charged with burglary of an occupied dwelling after failing to provide evidence of ownership or permission to be on the premises. He was taken into custody and is currently held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a $7,500 bond, with orders to stay away from Le Batard’s property.
The unsettling incident serves as a cautionary tale of the lengths some individuals may go to in claiming ownership of property that is not rightfully theirs. Le Batard’s ordeal highlights the importance of vigilance and security measures to protect against such intrusions.
