Wat-Not Staff
In a disturbing incident in Los Angeles, a naked man was found living beneath an elderly woman’s home. The discovery was made after the woman, in her early 90s, reported strange noises coming from the crawl space under her El Sereno property. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) responded to the call on November 7, finally apprehending the man in the early hours of November 8.
Police found evidence that the man, identified as 27-year-old Issac Betancourt, had been living in the crawl space for some time.
Blankets and food were found under the property, suggesting Betancourt may have stayed there for weeks or even months. He was eventually arrested after police deployed gas to force him out. The family suspects he may have lived there for as long as six months.
Family Noticed Strange Sounds for Weeks
The elderly woman’s family initially believed the noises were caused by animals. Ricardo Silva, the woman’s son-in-law, explained that the sounds occurred late at night. “The noises were like knocking,” Silva said. “As my wife was walking, it seemed like knocking back from under the house.” When the noises grew louder on November 7, the family contacted the police.
Silva said it was a “bizarre” incident, adding that it reflects the housing challenges faced by some in Los Angeles. “People are looking for shelter,” he told reporters.
Betancourt reportedly refused to leave the crawl space, unfazed by police dogs and initial attempts to use gas. Officers had to use multiple rounds of gas before Betancourt finally surrendered.
Trespassing Charges Filed Against the Suspect
Betancourt was arrested on a misdemeanour trespassing charge. He was detained on November 8 and released on November 9. Court records indicate he is scheduled to appear before a judge on December 6. The incident has left the family shaken but relieved to have resolved the source of the noises.
The LAPD has not yet commented on the situation. This incident serves as a reminder of the hidden dangers and challenges faced by vulnerable residents. The woman’s family expressed their gratitude for the LAPD’s assistance and is now working to secure the property to prevent further incidents.
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