Alleged Father and Son Squatter Plotters Arrested

Raymond Trimble, 52, of Markham, and his son, Arshad Thomas, were arrested for their alleged roles in a squatting ring. | Cook County Sheriff

A father and son who were on the lam for months after being charged in connection to a squatting ring are both behind bars at Cook County jail, according to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office.

Raymond Trimble, 52, of Markham, and his 26-year-old son, Arshad Thomas, are said to have illegally occupied numerous foreclosed homes throughout the city, which included a dozen residences in Beverly and Morgan Park.

Trimble, along with associates David Farr (also known as Fahim Ali), 40, and Torrez Moore, 55, were the subjects of a lengthy criminal investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies. Farr and Moore were both arrested in early morning raids at their unlawfully occupied residences in Beverly in June, authorities said.

A warrant was issued for Trimble’s arrest, as well as his son, Thomas, who was charged with three counts of burglary.

Investigators said the four men are associates but kept their business dealings separate.

The four men are purported to belong to an anti-government group -- the Sovereign Moors -- that doesn’t recognize the authority of police or financial institutions.

Trimble remained on the lam until Oct. 31, when he was taken into custody on an unrelated traffic charged. He was ordered to home confinement and electronic monitoring, Ald. Matt O’Shea (19th) said, who has taken a personal interest in the case.

Trimble violated that order and was not to be found until Dec. 11 when authorities took him into custody, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office said.

He has since been arraigned for his role in the criminal enterprise and now has aggravated fleeing added to his felonies, according to court records.

His son, Thomas, was picked up on a warrant for disorderly conduct dating back to February. Thomas was arraigned Monday at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on the burglary charges.

The way the scam works is that squatters file paperwork claiming that a property has been abandoned. A public notice is posted on the home and the squatters move in.

The properties are rented out to unsuspecting tenants who think they’re renting homes from legitimate landlords. In some situations, the squatter’s relatives move into the properties.

Cook County Recorder of Deeds Karen Yarbrough said that Farr/Ali has filed more bogus claims with her office than anyone in the county and has taken advantage of renters desperate for housing.

O’Shea has accused the four of frightening neighborhood residents with their alleged criminal activities.

When Farr/Ali and Moore appeared for a bond hearing after their arrests in June, they were released on astonishingly low I-bonds. Both men are now behind bars at Cook County jail.

“When they went back before the judge they were frankly disrespectful to the court which didn’t help them in their cause,” O’Shea said. “Their bail was raised to a more suitable amount to what it should be. I, for one, thought they would begin their criminal enterprise once again.”

Farr/Ali’s bail was increased to $1 million dollars; his alleged co-hort, Moore, had his bail increased to $500,000. Both are due back on court Dec. 29 before Cook County Judge Clayton Jay Crane at the Leighton Criminal Court Building.

Trimble is being held on a no bond warrant; his son’s bail has been set at $500,000 for the burglary and disorderly conduct charge.

The father’s is due back in court on the aggravated fleeing charge Dec. 29, and Jan. 23 for the financial crime charges.

His son, Thomas, is set to appear Jan. 4 for the disorderly conduct charge.