Clackamas, OR – In an unusual case out of Clackamas, Oregon, a man has been arrested for allegedly living covertly in a crawl space of an apartment complex without the property owner’s permission. The suspect, Beniamin Bucur, 40, was discovered late Wednesday night after a concerned witness alerted authorities to suspicious activity.
The incident took place approximately 16 miles south of Portland in a housing complex where Bucur reportedly made the crawl space his home for an extended period, raising questions about housing security and safety.
The Uncovering of a Hidden Resident
The investigation began when a witness noticed a man unfamiliar to the apartment complex residents parking his car and heading to the back of one of the buildings. Intriguingly, the witness observed the door to the crawl space open with light emanating from inside before it was closed again.
Deputies from the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Department responded around 11 p.m., finding the crawl space door damaged and secured unusually with an extension cord threaded through a vent. The property owner confirmed to deputies that no one was authorized to be in the crawl space and mentioned strange noises had been heard from that area earlier.
Since the official keys did not grant access, officers forcibly entered the crawl space.
Life Inside the Crawl Space
Inside, deputies found Bucur, who had taken “significant steps to improve the conditions” in the cramped area, indicating a prolonged stay. According to the sheriff’s office, the space contained:
- A bed setup for sleeping
- Lighting and multiple electronic devices including TVs and chargers
- Equipment plugged directly into the apartment’s power supply
This setup demonstrated resourcefulness but also raised serious legal and safety concerns.
Additional Findings and Charges
During the search, deputies discovered a pipe with white residue inside the crawl space, which later tested positive for methamphetamine. Authorities charged Beniamin Bucur with burglary and possession of methamphetamine. He was booked at the Clackamas County Jail and is held on a $75,000 bail (approx. £55,000).
“The conditions inside the crawl space clearly indicated that Mr. Bucur had been living there for an extended period and had made efforts to make it habitable,” said a sheriff’s office spokesperson.
Wider Implications and Community Concerns
This incident has sparked conversations about housing insecurity and unnoticed occupancy in residential complexes. Property owners and community members are urged to remain vigilant for unusual activities to prevent unauthorized living situations that could pose safety risks.
What Do You Think?
Have you heard of similar cases in your community? What are your thoughts on housing security and unauthorized residency in apartment complexes? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below!
