Under the laws of all sattes in this coutnry it appears that the former co-tenant who abandoned the unit you are renting violated state laws regarding destruction of property and the taking of your property. Possibly criminal charges could be filed as well against the former co-tenant.The former co-tenant was entitled to her possessions but was not entitled to use self help to get them and certainly not entitled to have caused the damage she did. I suggest reporting the incident to law enforcement.