Foreclosure Victims Turning Violent

Posted in Foreclosure, April 22nd, 2008 |

In Marion County the sheriff’s men have had to arrest a foreclosure victim in his eighties when he turned violent when faced with a foreclosure notice. He threatened the Sheriff’s men with a gun!

Black Diamond Process Service was being represented by 24 year old Robert McGuinness who went to 3933 N.W. 100th Street around 8 p.m. last Wednesday to serve legal papers regarding foreclosure to Frank W. Conrad. Conrad opened the door in his pajamas. Initially he was cordial but upon hearing of the purpose of Robert’s visit he lost his cool and left the scene saying he would have to change his clothes. But he returned with a hand gun and pointed it at Robert shouting “you have two seconds to get off my property or you will go to the hospital.” Senior Frank was joined by younger Frank, his son aged 61 who also talked aggressively with his hands on his hips. Fearing that he too might have a gun Robert decided to make a run for it. Frank junior called after him –“Get off the property or you will be gutted”.

Initially Robert did not want to report the incident to his supervisor but later the offenders admitted to the deputies of the Sheriff that the gun had been pointed at Robert. The gun was also exhibited - .38 caliber automatic. It was however not loaded. Younger Frank said that he only wanted to impress upon Robert that he possessed a weapon.

Following this altercation senior Frank was arrested on charges of violent assault and taken to the county jail. He was then released on bail for $7,000. Robert could not be contacted. His superior Ron Ragle said that they have hired an attorney and did not want to talk about the details at this point. The property is in Pinellas County. Ragle said that this was not an isolated incident. His staff had been exposed to knives and dangerous dogs but the gun was a bit of a rarity. Speaking about increase in number of foreclosures Ragle commented that two years ago they had served 40 to 50 notices per month. Now the number has gone up to 300.

Rising number of foreclosures has led to a pervading charged atmosphere. People thrown out of their houses that are their homes cannot be expected to act normally – irrespective of the fact whether they are in the right or wrong.