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MILLCREEK— Darin Orton came to Cottonwood storage facility in Millcreek with the expectation of 24-hour surveillance and password protected entry, but thieves found a way around that.
Three storage units were burglarized, and a unit filled with valuable equipment for Orton's family business was completely cleaned out.
Police said they suspect the thieves rented out a neighboring unit using fake identification and stolen credit cards, then used it as a way to get into the other units.
Orton said they cut the plywood wall in between the two units to enter Orton's storage area before loading up his possessions into a truck and driving away.
"Sometimes suspects will go to great lengths to commit crimes," said Lt. Justin Hoyal of the Unified Police Department. "It's very possible they took those types of measures to gain access into the facility."
Orton said he doesn't believe they're finished.
"They're going around from town to town, storage unit to storage unit, with the same story: fake IDs and gaining access to the units next to them," Orton said.
Orton said they were surprised and frustrated more than anything at the time it will take to regain all the supplies they had on hand.
He said he doesn't know if insurance will cover the loss of his items. For now, he said he expects he'll have to foot the bill for things like a back-up slicer, concrete drill and other things they need to build and maintain restaurants.
"They went as far to take grout and tile and stuff like that," Orton said. "They just cleaned us out."
The owner of the storage facility declined to comment.
Because the items stolen are pretty specific, police said they are hoping they'll stand out if the suspects try to sell them. Those with relevant information can contact Unified police.
