Bend storage unit burglaries reported, victims sought
Bend police said Monday they have identified a suspect in burglaries from at least 10 rented storage units around town since 2010 and recovered stolen property. They asked others who may not have reported being victims around the region to please do so, as their items also may be in police hands.
Officer Tommy Russell said they could not identify the suspect or release more details at this stage of the investigation, as officers have been looking into several burglaries from at least 10 rental units at various Bend storage facilities, dating back to 2010.
A suspect has been identified, he said, and items from several previously reported burglaries have been recovered.
It’s believed storage facilities in other Central Oregon locations may have been victimized as well, Russell said.
In many cases, the suspect cut the existing lock on a storage unit, then placed their own padlock on it, so as not to draw attention from facility operators.
Bend police encouraged storage space renters to take the time and check the lock on their storage unit, as well as check the contents for any missing items.
Anyone who has been a burglary or theft victim from a storage unit and who has not reported it to police was asked to call (541) 322-2969. That could help identify some of the recovered property that has not yet been linked to current police reports, Russell said.
More information in the investigation is expected to be released later this week, the officer said.