InvestigateTV+: Examining the shocking reality of home theft
(InvestigateTV) — A devastating crime is targeting homeowners across the nation, leaving families shocked to discover strangers have claimed ownership of their properties through forged paperwork. Known as deed fraud, this scheme involves criminals filing fake documents to transfer property ownership without the true owner’s knowledge.
For most people, their home represents their safe haven and biggest investment. But an increasing number of homeowners are discovering that the roof over their heads can be stolen through sophisticated document forgery schemes that exploit legal loopholes.
“You never think someone’s going to actually come in and not just rob you of the things inside your home, but try to steal your actual home,” said Melissa Sanchez, an Atlanta novelist whose house became the target of an alleged deed fraud scheme.
In this episode of InvestigateTV+, we examine:
- Deed Fraud Scheme: Criminals use forged documents to steal property titles, exploiting legal loopholes to claim ownership of homes.
- Wildfire Water Contamination: Portland develops advanced filtration systems to protect drinking water from ash and sediment caused by distant wildfires.
- Exploding Shower Door: Military veteran suffers serious injuries when tempered glass shower door unexpectedly shatters, highlighting product safety concerns.
- YouTube Education Channel: Youth pastor creates viral educational videos teaching kids about tools and problem-solving through everyday adventures.
From dream to deception: The shocking reality of home theft by ‘deed scheme’
Melissa Sannes and her husband purchased their metro Atlanta home in 2021. But three years ago, the name of Angela Spradley showed up as a “grantee” on a deed transfer, thus making Spradley a co-owner of the house.
Sannes has never heard of Angela Spradley, who is now serving a five-year prison sentence on charges of theft by deception, forgery and filing false documents related to five Bibb County, Georgia, properties. Prosecutors called her efforts a “deed scheme.”
A deed transfer shows the LLC transferred ownership of the Sannes’ house to Spradley. Sannes said the document is fraudulent; what’s more, an LLC never owned the Sannes’ house in the first place.
“It’s absolutely shocking,” Sannes said. “We are trained to think we’ve got to hold our purses close when we’re walking through a parking lot or not leave keys in our car.
Examining efforts to make Portland’s water supply fire-resistant
In an effort to safeguard the region’s drinking water from wildfire-related contaminants, the Portland Water Bureau is advancing its filtration capabilities to better prepare for future environmental challenges.
The improvements come as wildfires increasingly threaten urban communities, like what was experienced in Los Angeles County.
Our investigators took a behind-the-scenes look at improvements being made by the Portland Water Bureau to keep the water supply safe.
Exploding glass shower door sends Virginia Veteran to hospital
From ovens to showers and storm doors, tempered glass can be found throughout modern homes.
While the glass is treated with heat to make it stronger, when it’s damaged, it can shatter into sharp pieces that put residents in serious danger.
For military veteran Kevin Caple in Virginia, what started as a routine shower turned into a medical emergency when his shower door unexpectedly exploded, landing him in the hospital with severe cuts requiring surgery.
“And I saw my foot for the first time and it was just a horrible mess,” Caple said, still healing from his injuries.
He was finishing a hot shower in his rental home when the incident occurred.
“After taking a nice hot shower, I’m using this hand. I was opening the shower door and it moved me by the inch or two, just barely enough to start moving in. Right as it was moving this. Then it exploded and everything came down on me.”
The tempered glass shower door shattered completely, cutting Caple’s foot and hand.
Explore the Grand Strand with YouTube sensation Handyman Hal
Millions watch Handyman Hal on YouTube, who is known for teaching kids how to fix things and encouraging them along the way.
Off-screen, he is a fan favorite as well as youth pastor Shawn Goins at Refuge Church in Murrells Inlet.
“I created the character Handyman Hal for our Refuge Kids program to make videos for them to watch on Sunday mornings,” said Goins.
However, it was a car wash video shot during the times of COVID-19 that put them on the map.
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