Startling discovery: Homeless US woman lived inside rooftop store sign with computer, printer

A homeless woman in the US state of Michigan was living inside the rooftop sign of a storewith enough space for a computer, printer and coffee maker, according to police.

The woman, 34, has not been identified yet, the news agency Associated Press reported late Thursday (May 9). The report said that contractors curious about an extension cord on the roof of the Family Fare store in Midland made the startling discovery of the woman living inside the rooftop sign on April 23.

Officer Brennon Warren of the Midland Police Department said on Thursday,"She was homeless.It’sa story that makes you scratch your head, just somebody living up in a sign."

According to Warren, the woman told the police that she had a job elsewhere but had been living insidethe Family Fare sign for roughly a year.

A look at the rooftop sign

The triangle-shaped rooftop sign is probably1.5 metreswide and 2.4 metreshigh, has a door and is accessible from the roof,Warren said.

"There was some flooring thatwas laid down. A mini desk.Herclothing. A Keurig coffee maker. A printer and a computer — thingsyou’dhave in your home,"the officer said,adding thatthe woman was able to get electricity through a power cordplugged into an outlet on the roof.

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It is unknown how the 34-year-oldmade her wayto the roof, as there was no sign of a ladder.

Warren saiditwas possible the woman made her way to the roof by climbing up elsewhere behind the store or other retail businesses.

“Ihonestlydon’tknow how she was getting up there. Shedidn’tindicate, either,”the officer said.

He also pointed out that the woman wascooperative,andquickly agreed to leave, andno charges were pressed.

Store reacts to discovery onrooftop

SpartanNash, the parent company of Family Fare, reacted to the startling discovery. A spokesperson from SpartanNash said that store employeesresponded“with the utmost compassion and professionalism.”

“Ensuringthere isample safe, affordable housing continues to be a widespread issue nationwide that our community needs to partner in solving,”the spokesperson added.

(With inputs from agencies)