Alleged squatters take over a home near Decatur and Lake Mead boulevards while the family was away on a trip.
"A hurricane came into our house," said Carl, who did not want his last name released.
After a death in the family, Carl's parents rushed to the Philippines. The couple was gone only a month. They returned Wednesday to find their home in shambles.
"Those are broken pieces of glass," Carl said. "... Everything was open, the doors, the windows."
The homeowner and neighbors tell 13 Action News squatters are to blame.
"Things were out of place," said neighbor Pam Claus. "We started calling the police."
One issue was neighbors did not know the family was set to return. Claus said the hands of police were seemingly tied.
"That's one of the reasons I contacted Channel 13," she said.
According to 13 Action News Crime and Safety expert, retired Las Vegas police Lt. Randy Sutton, neighbors are key to avoiding this situation.
"Your neighbors see there is activity going on in the house and they can call the police," he said. "They can take action immediately."
It's important to communicate with neighbors you trust and ask them to watch over your home.
It is also a good idea to get a home surveillance system, Sutton said.
