Squatter Saga: How One Illegal Occupant Is Haunting a Quiet Queens Neighborhood

A Peaceful Block Turned Upside Down

Nestled among tree-lined streets and manicured lawns, Bayside, Queens has long been known as a tight-knit, quiet community. But that tranquility shattered when longtime resident Richard Klibschon passed away in 2018 without immediate heirs, leaving his family home vacant. What followed was a months-long mystery that quickly spiraled into a neighborhood-wide crisis.

Enter the Alleged Squatter

Residents say a stranger moved into the empty property over two years ago, sparking growing fears for local safety. In a formal letter to their local congressman, neighbors described feeling "increasingly apprehensive, uneasy and very concerned" about the unknown individual occupying the house. The man is widely believed to be Vernon Glass, a name familiar to New York investigators.

A Pattern of Property Takeovers

Glass isn’t a newcomer to this type of controversy. Back in June 2018, Nassau County police uncovered him taking over another vacant home, changing the locks, and illegally renting it out to three tenants while pocketing thousands. He initially pleaded not guilty but later accepted a plea deal for lesser charges, receiving five years of probation in late 2019.

The pattern reportedly continued. Court records reveal a 2023 lawsuit where Flushing homeowners accused Glass and an accomplice of forcibly entering their property, leading to severe financial strain and eventual foreclosure. Despite dropping that civil case due to mounting losses, Glass’s reputation as a serial property taker remains intact.

The Legal Tug-of-War

When Eyewitness News reporter Dan Krauth approached the Bayside residence in March 2024, the man inside confirmed he lived there but refused to give his name or appear on camera, quickly shutting the door. Meanwhile, the bank handling the mortgage told residents they lack the authority to remove the "illegal occupant" until the foreclosure sale officially closes.

To cut through the red tape, the estate’s legal team petitioned Queens Surrogate’s Court to appoint a Public Administrator. This summer, the newly appointed administrator filed documents demanding the removal of any unauthorized occupants. A court hearing was scheduled for July, but records show no one appeared on behalf of the occupant.

Waiting for Justice

Local Representative Tom Suozzi has been actively assisting residents, calling the situation an "awful situation" where a fraudster is wrecking the quality of life for the entire block. While it falls outside federal jurisdiction, Suozzi emphasized that everyone must do what it takes to right the wrong.

For now, Bayside residents are holding their breath, awaiting an official eviction warrant that would legally clear the property and restore peace to their once-quiet corner of Queens.