For roughly three months, a Happy Valley family lived their normal routine with no idea a stranger was secretly camped out in the crawlspace beneath their townhome, prosecutors say. That hidden setup, complete with string lights, a bed and electronics, belonged to 41-year-old Beniamin Bucur, who has now been sentenced to three years in prison.
Judge Hands Down 36-Month Prison Term
The Clackamas County District Attorney's Office said Bucur was convicted of first-degree burglary and sentenced on May 26 to 36 months in prison. Prosecutors also said he previously pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of methamphetamine, according to KPTV. According to the D.A.'s office, Bucur will serve the sentence while separate burglary charges in Washington County remain pending.
How Deputies Found the Hidden Setup
Deputies were called to a Happy Valley condominium complex on Sept. 3, 2025, after a neighbor reported seeing someone enter the back of the building and later noticed light coming from a crawlspace, according to law enforcement. When officers forced open the locked access door, they discovered a cramped but clearly occupied area: a bed, string lights, multiple televisions, charging cords, gaming gear and portable cooking burners, as well as a pipe that later tested positive for methamphetamine, the sheriff's office said, as reported by CBS News. Deputies estimated Bucur had been living in the crawlspace for an extended period while secretly tapping into power from the unit above.
Related Charges and Criminal History
Prosecutors said Bucur also faces additional burglary charges in Washington County. The D.A.'s office told KPTV that he has a lengthy criminal history, and court summaries list the Clackamas County filing in early September 2025. Court records reflect the original case activity in Clackamas County.
Neighbors Shaken, Investigators Seek Tips
The homeowner told deputies they had heard “strange noises” from beneath the unit before the discovery, and residents of the complex said the case left them rattled. Law enforcement has asked anyone with information to contact the sheriff's tip line, a request that was shared in national coverage, according to CBS News. Local officials have not released additional comment beyond the statement from the D.A.'s office.
Legal Note
Under Oregon law, burglary in the first degree is a felony that applies when someone unlawfully enters or remains in a dwelling. Penalties and sentencing ranges are set out in state statutes and guidelines. For the statutory definition of first-degree burglary, see ORS 164.225.
