Police informed a local homeowner last week that two people had been illegally living in a structure attached to their home in the Heritage District.

It’s not known how long Crystal Tow, 37, and Carl Schwarz, 36, allegedly lived in the “storage closet” on North Condrey Avenue, but now they are both facing trespassing charges.

The couple had not been discovered until April 5 when the Maricopa Police Department responded to a report of possible trespassing. That’s when officers purportedly found Tow and Schwarz arguing in the backyard of the residence around 6:45 a.m.

“Carl stated he and Crystal had been living in the attached storage closet in the back of the home, as they had been kicked out of their previous residence,” the police report stated.

Drugs allegedly also were discovered.

A search of Tow’s purse and backpack revealed syringes and glass pipes, two of which tested positive for fentanyl and methamphetamine, according to the report.

Police allege Tow admitted to using methamphetamine the morning of her arrest and knowing she and Schwarz did not have permission to live on the property.

The homeowner was unaware of the uninvited guests because the house was uninhabited while it underwent renovations.

MPD forwarded first-degree criminal trespassing charges – class 6 felonies — against Tow and Schwarz after their arrests at approximately 7:33 a.m.

Tow is also tagged with additional charges of third-degree burglary, a class 4 felony; possession of a dangerous drug, a class 4 felony; and possession of drug paraphernalia, a class 6 felony.

Both were later transported to the Pinal County Jail.

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