Woman uses fake name, moves into rental despite landlord changing locks

Officers find guinea pig, gerbil, tortoise also living at residence, police say

MADISON, Wis. — A 37-year-old who allegedly unlawfully took up residence in an east side residence moved in with the help of a locksmith, Madison police said.

A 62-year-old woman called police to the 10 block of Katherine Court Wednesday around 2:55 p.m. for a dispute she was having with a person who had previously been a prospective tenant, according to a release. She told police that she set up a rental agreement with a woman named Tracie Wollengeurg.

The landlord told police the check she got from the prospective tenant did not clear the bank, and she believed the prospective tenant’s real name was different from the name she was given on their rental agreement, police said. She contacted the prospective tenant, whose name is actually Tracie Robinson, 37, and told her she would not be renting the residence to her.

Robinson moved into the residence despite what the landlord told her, and after the locks had been changed she got into the residence with a key from a carpet cleaner and then with help from a locksmith, according to the release.

Officers checked the residence and determined that Robinson had not legitimately obtained a key from the landlord, and had moved in after being told the rental agreement was no longer approved, police said. While officers were checking the residence they also found a guinea pig, a gerbil and a large tortoise.

The animals did not have food or water, and it was unclear what physical condition they were in, according to the release. Animal Control officers assisted in removing the animals, and Robinson was arrested on tentative charges of theft and criminal trespassing.

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