HOUSTON – A Houston property owner said she was detained by police after confronting people she says were camping outside her vacant Westheimer Road building while carrying an unloaded gun.
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Houston property owner detained after confronting people outside vacant building
What they’re saying:
Anastasia Malavansos says she’s never had a speeding ticket. But she found herself handcuffed and on the ground after pulling a gun on homeless people on her property.
She owns 1800 Westheimer, which is vacant, and 1806 Westheimer, an eye care center.
She says she’s been trying to lease the vacant building for more than a year, but homeless people camping out are making that difficult.
On August 12, she says she did something she’s never done before, and it got her in a whole lot of trouble.
Her tenant told her three homeless men were sleeping in front of her vacant property.
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“I called 311 on the way over here, so police would meet me here,” she said.
Needless to say, Anastasia wasn’t happy about being ordered to the ground and handcuffed. Anastasia’s properties are across the street from Lanier Middle School.
HISD police called HPD about a disturbance, involving a woman waving a gun at people. She was detained but not charged with a crime.
Anastasia says the gun wasn’t loaded, but of course, the police didn’t know that.
When asked would she do it again?
“Yes,” she said. “I have a right to defend my property.”
What’s next:
Anastasia says she’s going to address the mayor and city council about the homeless issue near her properties.
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