Oregon Man Arrested After Allegedly Living in Housing Crawl Space
CLACKAMAS, Ore. — A man has been arrested after deputies discovered he had been secretly living in the crawl space of a housing complex, complete with furniture, electronics, and a direct connection to the building’s power supply.
Deputies Discover Makeshift Living Quarters
Authorities identified the man as Beniamin Bucur, 40, after a witness reported suspicious activity Wednesday night at the Clackamas apartment complex, located about 16 miles south of Portland. Deputies said Bucur had parked his car nearby, then walked to the back of the building where a damaged crawl space door was found locked and emitting light.
When officers forced entry, they discovered what appeared to be a fully lived-in setup, including a bed, lights, chargers, and multiple televisions. Deputies said an extension cord had been run through a vent to supply power.
Reports of Strange Noises Prompted Investigation
The property owner told deputies that no one should have had access to the crawl space and confirmed hearing unusual noises in recent days. The owner’s keys did not unlock the space, prompting officers to break in.
Inside, they found Bucur, who had taken “significant steps to improve the conditions of the crawl space and was obviously living inside,” according to the sheriff’s office.
Drugs and Burglary Charges Filed
In addition to the makeshift home, deputies found a pipe with white residue that tested positive for methamphetamine. Bucur was arrested and booked into the Clackamas County Jail, where he faces charges of burglary and meth possession.
His bail was set at $75,000 as of Thursday. Deputies believe Bucur had been living in the crawl space for an extended period of time before his arrest.
Incidents like this raise questions about housing security and hidden dangers inside residential complexes. Have you ever experienced suspicious activity in your community? Share your perspective with us at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
