Virginia homeless man arrested for digging underground home

[Liberal_in_LA]

FAIRFAX, Va.– A homeless man was arrested Sunday for constructing and living in an underground cave that was dug 15 feet underground in Fairfax, Virginia.


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Yosue Joel Rios, 25, dug stairs that descended to two rooms, according to Fairfax Police Department’s Public Information Officer Natalie Hinesley.

“To the left was a small alcove that was a little smaller where we thought he was sleeping. The room to the right was a bit larger from floor to ceiling that was about 5½ feet tall, so you could almost stand up.”

Rios hasn’t told police how long it took to create the cave and how long he lived there.

The underground cave was in woods approximately 200 yards behind the Fairfax Police Department. Inside the cave was evidence that Rios not only slept in there but also spent time self-teaching.

[TipTok]

1. Obvious safety hazard...

[atreides1]

2. Got to give him credit

He did all of this 200 yards behind the police department, and they didn't have a clue!

[Xyzse]

3. Agreed...

I am quite shocked.

[Kalidurga]

4. It would be better if we arrested people who refuse to address the issue

of people being homeless.

[SammyWinstonJack]

7. +1000000

[winstars]

5. Link please my friend, I wanna know what "self teaching' is... I have a clue but I might be.... LOL

[Liberal_in_LA]

8. Self teaching details

Along with sleeping gear and digging tools were educational books and writings on religion, the English language and the United States criminal justice system.
http://fox6now.com/2015/12/15/an-underground-cave-homeless-man-arrested-for-constructing-cave-living-15-feet-underground/

[winstars]

9. So the guy builds his own house, want to educate himself and we arrest him. Great country!!!

[grntuscarora]

6. The way we treat the homeless in this country is disgraceful.

They're swept off the streets and cited for flicking the ashes off of cigarettes. Homelessness is criminalized. http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insidestoryamericas/2012/06/201262761617710509.html

I'm not surprised Mr. Rios tried to dig himself a subterranean safe haven. I'm just sorry he was discovered.

I acknowledge that there is not much info in the OP, and there could well be aspects to the story that I do not know--I reserve the right to alter my pov based on additional facts that are received.

[0rganism]

10. was it this guy?

[underahedgerow]

11. It wasn't his property.

Not to mention countless safety, habitation & sanitation issues.

Props for ambition and determination though.

[Liberal_in_LA]

13. More

Fairfax City Police said that Rios dispersed the excess dirt and covered it with leaves while he was digging the cave.

Sgt. Natalie Hinesley, a Fairfax City police spokeswoman, said Rios camouflaged the den by covering it with a large piece of plywood. One side of the cavern features a bedroom, while the other side is a living room. Inside, officers found books and papers that looked like homework assignments.

Hinesley said several area residents found the tunnel in the 20-acre park and reported it to police Sunday.

"He had an alphabet written out with the sounds", Hinesley said.

Staff members at the nearby nonprofit The Lamb Center said they knew Rios well and that he had just been there on Saturday for Bible study.

Officers also found a spade, trowel and pick axe instead the cave. He was ordered held without bond.

http://waltonian.com/2015/12/virginia-homeless-man-arrested-for-underground-home/

[lpbk2713]

12. He's supposed to get a mortgage and be foreclosed on.

Or rent a place and be forcibly evicted.

That's the American Way.