Man discovered living in Oregon home without owner's knowledge

The unlawful inhabitation came to light when the property owner contacted authorities to investigate suspicious activity

The unidentified man, described as a 'hardened criminal,' had been living there for nine months

A news release from the Washington County Sheriff's Office revealed the startling discovery of a man living in an Oregon home without the owner's knowledge. The unlawful inhabitation came to light when the property owner contacted authorities to investigate suspicious activity.

The unidentified man, described as a 'hardened criminal', had been living there for nine months, and the house had been ransacked from top to bottom, according to the sheriff's office.

Investigators believe the man had been planning to live there indefinitely. He had covered the windows with dark plastic and altered the electrical system to avoid triggering alarms.