Seven squatters have been arrested after they were found living in a now-closed Japanese steakhouse in Leesburg.
Leesburg police officers were dispatched Thursday to investigate a suspicious person report at the now-shuttered Arigato Japanese Steakhouse at 1401 Citrus Blvd.
The first officer to arrive at the empty restaurant saw a man, later identified as 26-year-old Jaylin J. Ricks, leave the building from the rear door and begin to run away. The officer chased Ricks down and secured him in handcuffs. Other officers arrived on the scene and found six other people living in the building: 57-year-old Glenn Stambaugh, 62-year-old Kim Daniels, 65-year-old Ronald Davis, 31-year-old Sherman James, 36-year-old Melissa Preston an 61-year-old Charlene Walsh.
When officers searched the building, they found numerous pieces of drug paraphernalia as well as personal items. They determined that the seven had been living in the building using water and electricity. All seven were arrested after officers talked with the property owner. All seven have been charged with burglary to an unoccupied structure and theft of utilities.
Ricks was arrested on Jan. 29 on drug charges and was out on bond at the time of this arrest. The Ohio native has had numerous arrests in Lake County and Sumter County in the past two years including damaging the office of the Wildwood city attorney last year. His bond was set at $12,000
James has had a number of arrests for theft and drug offenses in Leesburg. His bond was set at $6,000.
Preston, who has a history of theft convictions, including a 2020 arrest at Walmart at Buffalo Ridge Plaza in The Villages is being held without bond.
Stambaugh has a previous drug arrest in Fruitland Park. The Maryland native’s bond was set at $6,000.
Daniels’ bond was set at $6,000.
Walsh’s bond was set at $2,000.
