Blurry surveillance pictures are just a snapshot of the burglaries at storage units across Wichita. Officers have taken at least 27 reports since January.
"That's three or four times the normal amount of burglaries,” Lt. Barry Von Fange said.
Lt. Von Fange says the recent break-ins happened at the Security Self Storage on South Hillside and at the Public Storage on South Tyler. He says groups of people could be working together to walk-away with someone else's property.
"Furniture, bicycles, guns, electronics, we've had a jeep actually taken,” Lt. Von Fange said.
Lt. Von Fange says the suspects may have rented at those facilities. That means they have the code to get in. Then once they get in, all they have to do is break an easy lock.
"If you come through the gate and you punch in a code and you open-up any door other than your own, an alarm will sound,” R.D. Wood said.
He’s the owner of MaxSecure Storage.
"This facility has been here for three years. And this has never had a break-in,” Wood said.
And, he says his seven other facilities haven't been broken into in at least three years.
"I built the perimeter and now I've got the perimeter secured,” Wood said.
Wood says his unit lay-out, alarms, security cameras, and cylinder locks are some of the security measures that help keep his units safe.
Lt. Von Fange also recommends asking a lot of questions when you're looking for a place to store your belongings.
"You can ask them how often do you patrol, how often do you check and walk through,” Lt. Von Fange said.
The Wichita Police Department has a few more suggestions if you're in the market for a storage unit.
- Ask the facility manager how often units are broken into.
- Make sure to use a case-hardened lock.
- Check to see if the facility has on-site security, cameras, and lighting.
- Also make sure your storage unit is completely enclosed.
- Finally, MaxSecure Storage recommends you keep your electronics in the back of the unit.
If you have any information on the recent storage break-ins, you can call CrimeStoppers at 267-2111.
