Police said the suspect created a makeshift living area complete with food, bedding and cooking equipment inside the hidden section of the residence.
GREENWOOD, Ind. — Police in Indiana said a man secretly lived inside a family’s townhome crawl space for months before officers discovered him surrounded by knives, personal belongings and a makeshift kitchen after residents repeatedly reported hearing unexplained noises inside the home.
Authorities said the investigation began after residents of the Greenwood townhome contacted police several times about strange sounds coming from inside walls and storage areas of the property. Family members told investigators they initially believed the noises were caused by plumbing issues or animals before discovering signs that someone had been entering parts of the home without permission. Officers later identified the suspect as Jeremy Dalton, 42, and accused him of unlawfully occupying a concealed crawl space connected to the residence. Prosecutors charged Dalton with burglary, residential entry and possession of stolen property while investigators continued examining how long he remained inside the property and whether he entered neighboring homes.
According to police reports, the family first noticed unusual activity late last year after hearing movement during overnight hours and finding household items that appeared to have been moved. Residents also reported missing food and believed someone had tampered with electrical wiring connected to storage spaces beneath the townhome. Investigators said the hidden living area could be accessed through a narrow opening behind insulation panels near a utility section of the building. Officers executing a search found bedding materials, bottled water, packaged food, portable cooking equipment and electronic devices inside the cramped space. Police also recovered multiple knives and tools that investigators described as “readily accessible” near the suspect’s sleeping area. Detectives said Dalton appeared to have constructed a basic kitchen setup using portable heating equipment and improvised shelving. Authorities did not say whether the equipment created a fire hazard, but investigators photographed cooking supplies and food containers stored throughout the crawl space.
Family members told investigators the unexplained noises became more frequent in recent weeks and often occurred late at night or early in the morning. One resident told police they occasionally heard footsteps and scratching sounds behind interior walls but struggled to determine where the noise originated. The family eventually contacted maintenance workers after noticing insulation appeared disturbed near a storage compartment. Workers inspecting the area reportedly discovered signs that someone had been moving through the crawl space and alerted police after seeing personal belongings hidden beneath the residence. Officers later searched the area and encountered Dalton inside the concealed section of the structure. Police said the suspect initially refused commands before eventually surrendering without violence. Authorities did not report injuries during the arrest. Investigators also said some property recovered inside the crawl space may have belonged to the residents, including household items and food products removed from the main living area.
The case alarmed residents throughout the suburban Indianapolis community, where neighbors said they were shocked by allegations that someone had remained hidden inside an occupied home for an extended period. Several residents told local media they began checking basements, attics and storage areas after hearing details from investigators about the concealed living space. Greenwood police said detectives are reviewing whether Dalton may have entered additional townhomes within the same residential complex before his arrest. Authorities also are examining surveillance footage and maintenance records from the property to determine how the suspect accessed the crawl space and whether anyone previously reported suspicious activity. Court records reviewed after the arrest showed Dalton had prior contacts with law enforcement involving trespassing and theft-related allegations in central Indiana. Investigators have not publicly described whether the suspect knew the family before entering the residence or whether he specifically targeted the property.
Prosecutors formally filed charges following Dalton’s arrest as police continued collecting evidence from the townhome and surrounding units. Investigators said forensic technicians documented the crawl space setup, including bedding materials, food storage areas and the improvised kitchen equipment allegedly used by the suspect. Detectives also cataloged the knives and tools recovered during the search. Authorities said the family temporarily relocated after the discovery while contractors inspected the residence for structural damage and possible safety concerns tied to the hidden occupation. Court officials scheduled Dalton’s initial hearing for next week in Johnson County. Prosecutors have not announced whether additional charges could follow as investigators continue reviewing evidence from the property. If convicted on the most serious counts, Dalton could face several years in prison under Indiana law.
Neighbors gathered outside the townhome complex in the days after the arrest, discussing how the suspect allegedly remained hidden for so long without detection. Some residents described the crawl spaces beneath the connected buildings as difficult to access and rarely inspected unless repairs were needed. Others said they were unsettled by reports that the suspect may have entered occupied homes while residents slept nearby. One neighbor said the story sounded “like something out of a movie” after learning police found a fully assembled living area beneath the residence. Greenwood police urged residents to report unusual activity around storage compartments, utility access points and maintenance spaces inside multi-unit housing complexes. Officers also credited the family for continuing to document the unexplained noises and changes inside the home, which ultimately helped investigators identify the concealed living area.
The investigation remained active Thursday as detectives reviewed evidence recovered from the crawl space and continued interviewing residents and maintenance personnel connected to the property. Court proceedings for Dalton were expected to begin in Johnson County in the coming days while the affected family worked to return to the townhome.
Author note: Last updated May 28, 2026.