Man Lived Undetected in Crawlspace for 3 Months

An Oregon man has been sentenced to three years in prison after residing in a family's crawlspace for nearly three months without their knowledge. Beniamin Bucur, 41, was found guilty of first-degree burglary by a jury. Police discovered his elaborate setup, which included lighting, a kitchen area, and a gaming station, all secretly connected to the residents' power supply.

The scheme came to light on September 3, 2025, when a neighbor observed someone entering the crawlspace of a Happy Valley townhouse and alerted authorities. Officers found a network of power cords and various items, including televisions and cooking burners, indicating a prolonged stay. The prosecuting deputy district attorney highlighted that the family unknowingly paid for the increased electricity usage.

Investigators also reportedly found a sword, multiple knives, and residue of methamphetamine within the crawlspace. Bucur's attorney was unavailable for comment. In addition to this conviction, Bucur faces other burglary charges in Washington County.