Squatters crash multi-million dollar beach house

NAVARRE BEACH, Fla. (WEAR) — When you think about squatters, you don't imagine them in a Navarre beach home that sits directly on the Gulf of Mexico. Investigators say two people are now behind bars for doing just this.

Sgt. Rich Aloy with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office said, "They picked a pretty nice house to stay in."

Property management company, ResortQuest told us the home on Gulf Boulevard on Navarre Beach is worth several million dollars. Investigators were able to identify the two suspects, Regina Brickey and Lawrence Rieger through surveillance video. You can see them making themselves at home, walking around barefoot in someone else's house. Deputies said they even installed a new dead bolt and put a new lock on the garage door. This case started three weeks ago when a maintenance guy with Resort Quest stopped by and realized something was wrong.

Ryan Christopher with Resort Quest said, "We had noticed that there had been occupants in one of the units we manage for an owner that lives in Colorado and never comes to the property."

Investigators told us when the maintenance tech went inside he found bedding, bongs, personal items and paperwork . On the paperwork was a social security number and then that led them to who they say was staying in this home. That's when the tech started doing his own detective work. He used the evidence found at the beach house, combined with video surveillance and he was able to track one of the suspects down through Facebook. He was able to point deputies to Regina Brickey. Her tattoos were a big giveaway. Resort quest management believes the two were in the house for about two weeks.

"They were basically using it to socialize on the weekends." said Christopher.

Santa Rosa County Sheriff's deputies are proud of the maintenance worker's investigative skills.

Sgt. Aloy said, "This individual took it above and beyond and he did a great job. We are currently hiring so maybe I'll reach out and see if he's interested in a job. "

Resort quest management believes the two were in the house for about two weeks. "They were using it to socialize on the weekend" said Christopher.

Both suspects have been charged with burglary and damaging property. They are being held on a $10,000 bond.