Homeless man squats in Winter Park condo, beats up couple, police say

Homeowners return from vacation to find squatter

WINTER PARK, Fla. – A Winter Park couple returned from a four-day vacation to find a homeless man squatting in their condo, according to the Winter Park Police Department. 

The man and woman arrived home to Lake Killarney Condos around 7 p.m. Tuesday and immediately noticed the front door was unlocked. When they went inside, they found Kayin Harper, 23, lying on the couch, the arrest affidavit said.

The couple said they yelled for Harper to get out of the house, but he stood staring at them motionless until the man tried to call 911. Police said Harper started to attack and hit the man while yelling "Why don't you die."

When the woman tried to escape through the back door for help, Harper pushed her and choked her, the affidavit said. The man pulled Harper off the woman, which allowed her to run out for help, according to police.

Four neighbors came to help the woman when they heard her screaming. They were able to subdue Harper until police arrived. One neighbor, who was armed with a cast iron frying pan, put Harper in a choke hold.

Witnesses said Harper yelled "We are all robots" and other "crazy things" as he struggled with neighbors.

Police arrived at the scene to find obvious signs of a struggle. The male victim's eye was swollen and he was bleeding from a cut on his forehead.

Harper tried to tell police his name was Calvin Harris and that he was 20 years old, the report said. Police said they found a $584 check written to the victim in Harper's pocket, as well as three gift cars and the victim's credit card.

Harper is charged with aggravated battery on a person 65 years or older, false imprisonment, burglary with assault or battery, larceny of a credit card and providing false ID to a law enforcement officer.


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