There probably should be a meaningful legal distinction made between squatters who just
happen to be staying in an already abandoned home that is already open to trespass and who
are fixing the house up, and/or paying taxes for it, and/or comporting themselves amicably when confronted by neighbors or police; versus squatters who are actively tearing someone else's well-kept house apart. The former should be at most misdemeanor trespassing if a neighbor or owner complains. For the latter, home invasion charges and all pertinent additional charges [[in the OPs case, running a chop shop, vandalism etc.) should be levied as warranted.