Homeless Hangout Discovered On Roof Of Manteca Goodwill Store
MANTECA (CBS13) - It's a discovery that's got people dumbfounded. A homeless hangout was found on the roof of a Goodwill store, complete with a TV hook up and cookware.
"It's worth repeating: people were discovered living on top of the roof," said Haille Mills, a Goodwill shopper.
Everyone knows the Goodwill is the place to go for a bargain, clothes, games, mugs, and prices so low you might say they're a steal, but staying on the roof really is a crime.
"I've been working at Goodwill for 23 years and I have never seen anything like this," said Rosa Cardenas.
They're movin' on up to the Goodwill roof, the makeshift apartment in the sky.
"This is a true story? Wow," said Mills.
Manteca police and firefighters discovered the camp, which has since been cleared away by Goodwill.
"They found tents, mattresses, TVs, bags of clothes -- all kinds of things," said Cardenas.
The TV and a hotplate were reportedly found plugged in with makeshift wiring.
The whole setup might have gone unnoticed, except for a smell that had made its way through the vents and into the store.
"It was very strong, and it was all over the floor," said Cardenas.
It was marijuana smoke.
"Very laughable, it's crazy," said Mills.
The smoke and footsteps heard up above were the clues Goodwill employees used to call the cops.
"We obviously have a camping ordinance in Manteca that prohibits such activity," said Sgt. Mike Aguilar of the Manteca Police Department.
It turns out that whoever was camping on the roof was also stealing from the Goodwill donation drop-off box.
"People are donating to try to help other people, and then the squatters on top of the roof are stealing from everybody," said Mills.
"No camping, especially not on the roof," said Cardenas.
There are no signs or smells of the rooftop pair left lingering around.
So far, police haven't identified the suspects.
Goodwill may be a good place to shop for a sleepover, definitely not a good place to host one. The store has hired security guards in hopes of preventing another rooftop residence.
