Authorities in Clackamas County, Oregon, uncovered a shocking case when a man was found secretly living in the crawl space of a home near Portland. The homeowner had reported hearing “strange noises” from the area, which ultimately led to the discovery.
The incident took place in a residential neighborhood near Happy Valley, a small city southeast of Portland. Deputies were called shortly before 11:00 PM on Wednesday after a witness noticed a man unfamiliar to the area entering the back of a property. The witness also observed the crawl space door open, with light coming from inside.
When deputies arrived, they found the crawl space door damaged and locked. An extension cord running through a vent suggested unauthorized use of electricity. Attempts to open the door with the homeowner’s keys were unsuccessful, so deputies forced entry. Inside, they found 40-year-old Beniamin Bucur, who appeared to have been living there for an extended period.
The sheriff’s office said the crawl space had been converted into a makeshift living area, complete with a bed, lights, television, and electronic chargers connected to the home’s power supply. During the search, deputies also discovered a meth pipe, leading to additional charges.
Bucur was arrested on burglary and unlawful possession of methamphetamine charges and booked into Clackamas County Jail, with bail set at $75,000 (£55,524).
This unusual case highlights the lengths some individuals go to find shelter and the importance of reporting suspicious activity to authorities. Neighbors and the homeowner were reportedly shocked, as there had been no clear signs of someone living in the crawl space until now.
Authorities continue to investigate how long Bucur had been living in the space and whether others may have been aware of his presence.
