CAPE CORAL, Fla. - A Cape Coral "house sitter" is accused of holding a garage sale and selling off the things she was supposed to be watching! The "house sitter" even told the city she was having the sale.

When Mary Benavidez got sick she left her Cape Coral home for three months and left "friend" Stephanie McDowell in charge.

"We honestly just thought they were renters," said neighbor Jamal Grimmick.

Grimmick noticed McDowell and boyfriend Sean Hannon having a garage sale. The only problem, police say all the stuff for sale belonged to Benavidez. They say whatever the couple didn't sell they stole and Hannon sold some of the items to a local pawn shop.

"She basically has to start all over. She's been cleaning out for weeks, cleaning up. She's actually had furniture delivered now because all of her furniture is gone," said Grimmick.

Benavidez wouldn't talk on camera but says her "house sitter" left a paper trial.

McDowell actually applied for a permit to have the garage sale. She gave her name and Benavidez's address. WINK News uncovered a copy of that permit.

City officials say you don't need to own the home to have a garage sale. They say that would keep renters or groups of people pooling together for a sale from getting a permit.

Benavidez's neighbors say something needs to change.

"I think honestly you should show proof of residency. There's got to be some stricter guidelines on this. Especially in this instance for what happened to this poor woman," said Grimmick.

The homeowner told police two bedroom sets, three TV's and a $1000 solid brass tea set were just some of the things missing.

McDowell and Hannon were arrested for grand theft and dealing in stolen property.