House Squatter Faces Multiple Charges In Keansburg, Holmdel

HOLMDEL, NJ — A Monmouth County man is facing multiple criminal charges after authorities say he squatted at two empty homes in recent months, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Thursday.

Markies L. Wells (also known as Messiah Law-Elbey), 39, whose last known address was in Neptune, is charged with burglary, theft and threatening to kill members of law enforcement among other charges, Santiago said.

In March, Wells was discovered living in an abandoned home in Keansburg, and in July he was found in a foreclosed home in Holmdel, authorities said.

Keansburg Police said he climbed through the back window of a home on Pine View Avenue and changed the locks on the front and back doors. He was arrested.

In Holmdel, police found Wells had done the same thing with a foreclosed home on Middletown Road and was living there with his three dogs, using utilities that had not been turned off. The dogs had caused extensive damage to the interior of the home, authorities said.

When Holmdel police tried to arrest him, Wells threatened to kill them with a knife he had on him, authorities said.

Authorities then learned that Wells had filed documents with the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office claiming to be the rightful owner of the homes.

Wells was arrested on July 3 and charged with the following: armed burglary, attempted theft, theft, burglary, criminal mischief, resisting arrest, threatening to kill members of law enforcement, falsifying or tampering with records, obstruction of justice, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, theft of utility services, trespassing and unlawful possession of a weapon.

Wells was ordered held in the Monmouth County jail until trial at his detention hearing, officials said.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact MCPO Detective Michael Acquaviva at 800-533-7443.