HAPPY VALLEY, Ore. — A 40‑year‑old man was arrested after deputies discovered he had turned the crawl space of a condominium complex into a hidden living area complete with a bed, televisions and string lights, according to the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies identified the man as Benjamin Bucur, who authorities say had been accessing the space at night and drawing power from the building by running extension cords through a vent. The setup included multiple electronics, lighting and other personal items arranged as a makeshift room beneath the occupied units.
The investigation began after a homeowner reported hearing unexplained noises under the condo. A neighbor later told deputies they had seen a man parking a vehicle nearby and entering the crawl space after dark.
When deputies arrived, they found the crawl‑space door damaged and secured from the inside, forcing them to breach it. Bucur was taken into custody without incident. Deputies also reported finding a pipe with residue that later tested positive for methamphetamine.
Bucur was booked on charges of first‑degree burglary and unlawful possession of methamphetamine. Authorities said he may have been living beneath the building for an extended period, though the exact duration remains under investigation.
No injuries were reported, and the condo association is assessing damage to the structure and electrical system.