Police arrest couple in Occupy takeover of house

The couple who last week moved into a foreclosed home in Atlanta’s Pittsburgh community was arrested Wednesday afteoon, according to Atlanta police.

APD spokesman Carlos Campos said the property owner issued a criminal trespass waing to the inhabitants, who were not named. A spokeswoman with Occupy Our Homes said Reneka Wheeler and Michelene Meusa, who moved into the house last Thursday, were arrested along with two activists.

The two women and two men arrested refused to leave the premises before they were detained, Campos said.

”We had representatives on site with the Pittsburgh Community Improvement Association who offered the other occupants a safe place to stay, Campos said.

Occupy member Shab Cashiri said one of the men arrested was Tim Franzen, who often speaks on behalf of the group.

Wheeler and Meusa announced their intentions to move into the bright pink bungalow last Thursday and did so following a news conference called by Occupy Our Homes. They said they had been on the streets since July, shuffling between homeless shelters with their two kids.

”We’re doing what the banks have been doing to us for years, Franzen said last week.

The deed to home belongs to New York-based M&T Bank. Georgia Newsday has reached out to a bank spokesman seeking comment.

Cashiri said Occupy has not decided on its next move, adding, ”This is just the beginning of our fight.