SANTA BARBARA — Randy Quaid is back in the news, and not for any upcoming acting roles.
Early Saturday evening, Quaid and his wife Evi were arrested on charges of felony burglary, misdemeanor trespass, and resisting arrest. Following the posting of $50,000 bond each, the couple was released early the following morning.
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t was less than five months ago that the Quaids exited the Santa Barbara Superior Court in connection with their pleas to felony charges of defrauding a world-famous Montecito resort for more than $10,000 in unpaid room and meal charges in 2009. The Quaids now stand charged with crimes pursuant to their refusal to leave the premises of a Montecito home where they had been trespassing and “squatting.”
According to county sheriff’s spokesman Drew Sugars, deputies received a midday report that unknown individuals were trespassing and living in the guest quarters of an East Mountain Drive residence in the exclusive Montecito neighborhood.
“Deputies responded but didn’t find anyone on the premises,” said Sugars, “but they were called again to the same property again that evening.”
Upon arriving at approximately 6:15 p.m. Sept. 18, law enforcement discovered Randy Quaid, 59, and Evegenia Quaid, 47, in the interior of the home.
“Mr. Quaid claimed legal possession of the house,” said Sugars, “but the current property owner’s representative provided plenty of documentation proving otherwise.”
A complaint was signed for a citizen’s arrest, allowing the deputies to take the Quaids into custody for residential burglary. The property owner’s representative offered additional documentation from local contractors indicating that the squatters had caused in excess of $5,000 property damage to the guest house in which they were illegally residing.
“Mr. Quaid was handcuffed without incident,” Sugars told the media, “but Mrs. Quaid physically resisted” before she was subdued and restrained.
The property address in question is less than a mile from the San Ysidro Ranch, where the Quaids’ troubles began in 2009, resulting in Mrs. Quaid’s no contest plea to defrauding an innkeeper, payment of a substantial fine, and the imposition of 240 hours of community service. Mr. Quaid’s charges in that case were dropped, and he now faces a return appearance to Santa Barbara Superior Court on Oct. 18.
