Woman Found Living in Supermarket Store Sign for a Year, Police Say

Police in Michigan say a woman was recently found living inside a grocery store sign, where she seemingly had been staying for a year.

Contractors were working on the roof of a Family Fare Supermarket in Midland on April 23 when they discovered the woman and her living space, according to the Associated Press and USA Today.

Midland Police Officer Brennon Warren said the department has dubbed her “the Roof Ninja,” MLive.com reported.

“She essentially made it home,” the officer added.

The woman had made herself at home inside the top portion of the triangle-shaped sign, which was accessible through a small door, according to the AP and USA Today.

Warren said there appeared to be “some flooring that was laid down” and “a mini desk” as well as clothing, a Keurig coffee maker, a printer and a computer.

It is unclear how the woman continually accessed the roof. She told officers she had been living there for about a year, MLive.com reported.

“People would see her from time to time and then all of a sudden she would vanish,” Warren said, per USA Today. “No one really knew where she went but no one ever indicated or thought that she would be up on top of the roof.”

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The woman reportedly agreed to leave shortly after police confronted her about her living situation. She was advised not to return and was escorted from the property.

Police said they offered her information about services for unhoused individuals, but she declined, per the reports. No charges have been filed.

The woman at the center of the story is reportedly employed, but not at Family Fare. SpartanNash, the parent company of Family Fare, said in a statement that store employees responded “with the utmost compassion and professionalism.”

“Ensuring there is ample safe, affordable housing continues to be a widespread issue nationwide that our community needs to partner in solving,” spokesperson Adrienne Chance said.

SpartanNash did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.