BEDFORD — A Plainfield woman was taken into custody Sunday afternoon after a property caretaker discovered her allegedly squatting in a vacant residence on State Road 60 West.
Angela Coy, 43, was arrested by the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department on preliminary charges of residential entry and criminal mischief.
The incident began around 1:18 p.m. on April 19, 2026, when central dispatch received a report of an unwanted person in the 8400 block of State Road 60 West. The female property caretaker told deputies she had arrived at the residence, which belongs to her mother but is currently vacant, to mow the lawn.
Upon her arrival, the woman noticed several broken windows on the north side of the house. After entering the home, she discovered trash that had not been there the previous weekend. As the caretaker was exiting, a woman, later identified as Coy, emerged from a back room and walked out the front door.
When confronted and asked how long she had been there, Coy allegedly stated she had been living in the home for approximately a week before walking away from the scene.
Deputy Travis Atchison located Coy walking westbound near the intersection of Fleenor Road and State Road 60 West at 1:23 p.m. She was detained by Deputy Atchison and Officer Michael Martin shortly thereafter.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Coy was read her Miranda rights and agreed to speak with investigators. During the interview, she admitted to staying in the residence for about a week. She claimed she entered the house through an open window on the east side of the building. When questioned about the broken windows on the north side, Coy stated she was unsure how the damage occurred.
Coy was transported to the Lawrence County Jail.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the probable cause affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
