Midland Police Officer Jeff Krauss recalls discovering Roof Ninja

Midland Police Department Officer Jeff Krauss said the discovery of the “Roof Ninja” on April 23 was possibly the “most interesting call” he has ever received in his 15 years with the police.

The 34-year-old woman, who was employed, had a furnished apartment directly behind the Family Fare sign at 2026 N. Saginaw Road. She told police she had lived there for over a year.

“She was witty,” said Krauss, who also worked as an undercover agent. “She was very nice. Sometimes she even made jokes.”

Krauss responded to the call with Officer Pam Keister. Contractors working at Family Fare found an extension cord leading inside the sign and began investigating. When they saw someone living inside, they called police. Krauss said the contractors climbed down from the roof and called 911.

Keister and Krauss were sent to the scene.

Keister and Krauss climbed up with the help of the construction managers to investigate.

“Sometimes people exaggerate when they call,” Krauss said. “Not this time. I never expected anyone to live there.”

The officers went to the back of the sign and tried to open an access door, but it was locked.

“Then I saw hands and a voice saying, ‘Wait a minute,'” he recalled.

Krauss said the woman had a desk, laptop, dining area and a plant in her makeshift shelter.

“Honestly, I was impressed,” he said. “That’s the best description. She really made it an apartment. It was her home.”

The contractors are the ones who gave her the nickname “Roof Ninja.”

“I told her she had a nickname, and she said, ‘What do they call me? Spiderman?'” Krauss said. He replied, “Roof Ninja.” She laughed.

Krauss asked how she got up to the roof and back down, and she told him she preferred not to say. Later, he saw a folding ladder among the woman’s belongings. When she came down, she folded it up next to the building. Then she pulled the ladder up with her when she was back “home.”

It turns out that this wasn’t the first time Krauss had met the woman. He had spoken to her a year earlier when people called police about seeing a suspicious person wearing dark clothing. She is wearing all black, goggles and a mask because she allegedly suffers from a sun allergy.

He also saw her near the Family Fare, but didn’t know where she lived until he climbed onto the roof.

“I would never have understood that,” he said.

The police gave the woman recommendations for accommodation and recommended agencies in the area.

“She didn’t want any of it,” Krauss said.

Knowing where she had been since leaving Family Fare, Krauss checked on her and offered her services again. After the Daily News published a story about Roof Ninja, media outlets across the country also began covering the story. Krauss also told her how much attention her story had received and how many people wanted to help her. Despite this, she refused help.

Family Fare kept the promise made to the woman and was able to return her furniture and other belongings.

The Midland Police Department released bodycam footage of the interaction between Krauss, Keister and the woman. Coverage of the story has raised many questions for Krauss from the public, but to him, it was just another day on patrol – albeit one he will remember for a long time.

“This will definitely be one of the most unforgettable stories,” said Krauss. “I will definitely remember this for the rest of my career.”

Tereasa Nims covers crime and courts for the Daily News. You can reach her by email at [email protected].