Man Lives Undetected for 3 Years in Attic of Arlington Church

PHOTO: William Barker booking photo courtesy of Arlington County

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An Arlington church is pursuing charges against a man found living in the attic of the church — and it turns out he’s been living there undetected for the past three years, according to Arlington County Police.

The man was found Monday afternoon, after an air conditioning repairman heard sounds coming from the attic of Saint Ann Roman Catholic Church, according to Arlington Police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck.

The church is located at 5300 10th St. N in Arlington (see map below).

William Barker, 42, of no fixed address, had allegedly been living undetected in the attic of the church for three years.

The man reportedly would attend mass, and after people left, would use a ladder to gain access to the attic, pulling it up through a space in the ceiling, police said. He kept a makeshift bed and other items in the attic.

The arrangement came to an end Monday shortly after 5:15 p.m., when police arrested Barker and charged him with trespassing. “The church wanted to pursue charges,” said Sternbeck.

A school, Saint Ann Catholic School, is located near the church, at 980 N. Frederick St. (see map below). The school is for children ages kindergarten to 8th grade.

The church had no comment Thursday and was referring calls to the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. A call to the media office there was not immediately returned Thursday afternoon.

Barker was being evaluated for his mental health; he previously lived in Idaho, Sternbeck said.