Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Edward Luke Chappel, 45, of Atlanta, was taken into custody yesterday after allegedly convincing a locksmith to switch the locks on a rental property he falsely claimed to have acquired.

Around 5:12 p.m. on August 18, Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to a residence near the junction of SW 17th Avenue and SW 91st Street. They observed a small U-Haul parked in the driveway and spoke with Chappel, who allegedly stated that he had just purchased the property and his realtor had recently left after letting him inside. He reportedly presented the deputies with a Vacant Land Contract from a real estate firm showing a purchase date of July 28.

The legitimate property owner informed deputies that the property was listed for rent by the real estate company and was not for sale, with no authorization given for anyone to be there. Surveillance footage reportedly depicted Chappel and another man damaging the garage door to gain entry. The owner shared these images with a deputy, and Chappel allegedly claimed the other man was his realtor. However, the deputy noted the “realtor” wore a shirt with a locksmith logo.

A deputy contacted the locksmith firm and confirmed that an employee had been dispatched to the residence earlier that day. The locksmith recounted that Chappel claimed to have rented the property and had inadvertently locked himself out. When asked for a lease copy, Chappel reportedly stated it was at his office. After calling back, saying he possessed the lease, Chappel requested service at the location. Employees verified the contract’s name matched Chappel’s Delaware driver’s license and proceeded to change the garage door locks. Feeling uneasy, they photographed the U-Haul truck “in case something happened.”

The real estate company indicated that while the document showed them as the escrow company, they do not handle their escrow transactions personally and lacked an agent by the name listed. They emphasized a strict policy requiring legible agent signatures when informed the signature was “scribble and illegible.” They also clarified that no active or inactive accounts existed for the address. Upon learning there was a current rental contract with their associated management agency for the property, they affirmed there were no sales contracts.

The deputy determined that Chappel deceived both the locksmith and deputies to gain access, causing damage in the process of relocking the home, and possessed fraudulent documents indicating ownership to “live in [it] as if his own.”

Chappel, whose listed address is in Atlanta, has been charged with burglary of an unoccupied dwelling and property damage under $200. Chappel, who told court representatives that he owns a security agency, has no criminal history. Judge Aymer “Buck” Curtin set bail at $10,000.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.