A couple was arrested Thursday after they allegedly made themselves at home in a vacant house on Third Avenue in Butler.

The suspects — Ronald L. Tejchman, 33, and Nikki Jo Haynes, 33, both of Butler Township — are now housed in the Butler County Prison. Both are charged with trespass, a felony.

The pair’s real home remains unclear. According to the police complaint, they live in Moundsville, W.Wa. But at their arraignment, they claimed they lived in Butler Township.

While being booked at the prison, they gave a Butler address.

City police said they got a call Thursday from the Third Avenue homeowner, who does not live in the city, reporting that his wife had been at the house that day and found fresh food in the refrigerator.

The owner told police that he recently bought the house and it was supposed to be vacant. No one, he said, had permission to be there, according to court documents.

Following the call, two officers went to the home shortly before 6 p.m. They repeatedly knocked on the door but got no answer.

They waited five minutes before entering through a side door, which was unlocked. When the officers went in, police said, they found the defendants in the living room.

The couple claimed someone they knew as “Mike” gave them permission to be there. Police arrested and searched both suspects.

In Haynes’ purse, police found a used syringe and two crack pipes, documents said.

District Judge Sue Haggerty arraigned Tejchman and Haynes on charges of trespass. Haynes also is charged with misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.