Ceres police have reported a rash of break-ins and thefts involving about 12 units over a period of several days at three mini-storage facilities in Ceres.

The thefts occurred from Nov. 30 to Dec. 3, said Ceres Police Department spokesman Lt. Chris Perry.

Reports of two thefts came in on Tuesday Dec. 1. An owner of a unit at A-1 U-Stor facility at 3201 E. Hatch Road reported a break-in while the same occurred at Extra Space Storage at 1780 Mitchell Road. Lt. Smith said the method of operation was the same with bolt cutters being used to gain access to the locker, a selective theft of goods that included tools and a replacement lock being used to lock the unit.

"What we are finding odd is that the thieves are cutting the locks but when they leave they are relocking with their own locks, possibly to come back or to throw off security," said Lt. Perry.

The next day, another owner of a unit at Extra Space Storage reported a loss as did one at the AAA Self Storage at 1777 Kinser Road.

On Dec. 3, reports came in about additional thefts at Extra Space Storage and A-1 U-Stor.
Perry said that detectives are reviewing surveillance video of the facilities.

"I'm sure we'll catch them," said Lt. Perry. "We usually do."

In the meantime he said owners of storage lockers should place more expensive bolt cutter resistant locks, such as the disc padlock, to help make their possessions more secure.

Anyone who may have seen anything suspicious at the facilities is urged to report what they know to the Ceres Police Detectives Division at 538-5727.