Criminal charges result for ad that cleaned out home

TACOMA – A Puyallup woman charged with burglary for placing a fake ad on Craigslist that invited people to take away everything in a relative’s Tacoma home told detectives she did so to get back at her aunt, according to court documents.

Nichole Marie Blackwell, 28, was charged last week with one count each of second-degree burglary, first-degree malicious mischief and first-degree criminal impersonation in the incident.

Detectives believe she posted an ad on the online classified site on March 24 inviting the public to “come and take anything you want” from her aunt’s house, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed in Pierce County Superior Court.

They also contend Blackwell illegally entered the house to retrieve some of her mother’s belongings the same day.

“Blackwell said that she had disliked the victim for years and was upset because the victim had evicted her mother from the house in question without letting her mother get her possessions,” the affidavit states.

The ad was titled “everything free,” and said, “Nothing is off limits.”

People took the ad at face value and carried off nearly everything, including the kitchen sink and the front picture window.

Her aunt, Laurie Raye, went to check on the rambler a few days later and found it cleaned out. Damage was estimated at well over $1,500.

Police said Craigslist cooperated in the investigation and turned over records relating to the ad.

Raye told The News Tribune of Tacoma on Wednesday that she’s not surprised her niece is accused in the crime. Raye said she and Blackwell’s mother have feuded for some time. Blackwell’s mother has not been implicated in the crime.

Raye said she wants Blackwell to “suffer the consequences.”

“I don’t have any compassion,” said Raye, adding that she is trying to take out a loan to repair the damaged house.

Efforts to reach Blackwell for comment were unsuccessful. She was not booked into jail in the case but was issued a summons to appear in court.