TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Some Tampa Bay actual property brokers have had a disturbing expertise. They mentioned a person is displaying up at open homes, pretending to be a purchaser, then discovering an excuse to the touch or caress their ft.
Angela Julian mentioned she had no thought what began as a typical open home would finish along with her feeling violated. Now, she and others are coming ahead hoping it results in motion.
“There are a number of ladies realtors which were experiencing and have had these encounters with this similar man. No less than 12 of us that we all know, spanning way back to July of final yr and as current as April twelfth,” Julian mentioned.
Julian mentioned her expertise at an open home final summer time nonetheless unsettles her, and now she is aware of she’s not alone.
“He appeared round the home, requested questions, requested me to point out him the yard. So, I confirmed him the yard. Then he proceeded to inform me that I had an ant on my foot, and I began hopping round attempting to determine the place the ant was,” Julian mentioned.
A number of victims claimed the person used excuses like bugs or ants to get shut and contact their ft.
“I did not see an ant, however he stored telling me that it went behind my shoe. And so he began to unbuckle my shoe and caress my foot,” Julian mentioned.
After sharing her expertise on-line, Julian found she wasn’t alone.
One lady commented on a put up, saying, “This occurred to me in February, at my buddies open home once I had a list.”
The incidents have prompted a security alert for brokers throughout Tampa Bay.
“We simply must be ready going into internet hosting open homes and perhaps doing background checks on individuals,” Julian mentioned.
Clearwater police confirmed an incident matching the outline. Investigators issued a warning to brokers to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious exercise.
