An Oregon man who secretly lived inside a family’s crawl space for nearly three months without their knowledge has been sentenced to prison after being found guilty of burglary.
Oregon Man Sentenced for Secretly Living Under Family’s Home
Beniamin Bucur, 41, was convicted by a Clackamas County jury and sentenced to 36 months in prison after prosecutors proved he had been living beneath a family’s townhome in Oregon without permission.
According to the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office, Bucur secretly moved into the crawl space beneath the home and stayed there for approximately two and a half months while the family living above remained completely unaware.
Hidden Living Space Included Lights, Kitchen and Gaming Area
Investigators revealed that Bucur created an elaborate setup inside the crawl space. Authorities said he brought in several personal belongings, including televisions, gaming consoles and cooking equipment.
The hidden area reportedly featured:
- Multiple televisions
- Gaming consoles
- Cooking burners
- String lights
- Electrical connections
Prosecutors said Bucur used electricity from the family’s home, causing increased utility bills that were unknowingly paid by the homeowners.
Family Had No Idea Someone Was Living Below Them
The family living in the townhome consisted of a married couple and their young daughter.
According to prosecutors, Bucur entered the crawl space under the cover of darkness and quietly moved his belongings inside. He reportedly came and went regularly without being detected by the residents.
Deputy District Attorney Tiffany Escover described him as “the roommate the family never knew they had.”
Neighbour’s Observation Led to Discovery
The unusual situation came to light when a neighbour noticed a man entering the crawl space and became suspicious.
The witness reported seeing someone who did not appear to live in the housing complex park a vehicle nearby and walk toward the back of the building.
The neighbour also noticed light coming from inside the crawl space and contacted law enforcement.
Police Found Evidence of Unauthorized Occupation
When deputies arrived at the property near Happy Valley, Oregon, they discovered that the crawl space door had been damaged and secured.
Investigators also found an extension cord running through a vent, raising further concerns.
After speaking with the homeowner, officers learned that nobody was authorised to be inside the crawl space. The family also mentioned hearing strange noises coming from beneath the home on previous occasions.
Arrest Made Inside Crawl Space
With the homeowner’s permission, deputies forced open the crawl space door using a Halligan pry bar.
According to authorities, officers immediately found Bucur standing just inside the entrance and arrested him without incident.
Weapons and Drug Paraphernalia Recovered
During a search of the crawl space, police discovered several concerning items, including:
| Items Found | Details |
|---|---|
| Sword | Located inside living area |
| Multiple knives | Found among belongings |
| Drug paraphernalia | Pipe containing methamphetamine residue |
Bucur later pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine-related drug paraphernalia.
Long Criminal History Played a Role
Prosecutors stated that Bucur has a criminal record spanning more than two decades. His previous convictions include burglary, theft and drug-related offences.
Following a brief jury deliberation lasting approximately 20 minutes, he was found guilty of burglary.
Case Raises Concerns About Home Security
The unusual case has attracted widespread attention because of the length of time Bucur managed to live beneath the family’s home without being discovered. Authorities credited the observant neighbour whose report ultimately led to the arrest.
The incident serves as a reminder for homeowners to pay attention to unusual sounds, damaged access points and unexplained increases in utility bills. Thanks to a neighbour’s quick action, the situation was resolved before it potentially became even more dangerous for the family involved.
