Arizona cave-dweller to be evicted

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FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Sept. 12 (UPI) -- A "philosophical" Arizona cave-dweller was ordered evicted from his home of 11 years by U.S. Forest Service authorities Friday.

Thomas J. Crawford, 57, was arrested Friday by officers with the Forest Service for "using the National Forest for residential purposes." Crawford was living in a cave on public property in the Coconino National Forest, which is illegal.

Inside the cave, according to a report in the Arizona Daily Sun, he had a bed, books and clothes arranged on hangers. There were pots, pans and utensils for cooking.

According to the newspaper, a resident of Flagstaff called the Forest Service offices to report "a suspicious camp."

An officer went to investigate Aug. 29 and found the site. He came across Crawford, but Crawford ran away. He was found a week later.

Crawford pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one year of probation, and he has been banned from the forest. He told the judge that he lived in the forest by choice.