Storage unit thefts surge in Buncombe County after Helene

News

Photo: Saga Communications/828newsNOW

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Detectives with the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office say storage building break-ins have sharply increased in the weeks following Tropical Storm Helene, and several suspects have been charged as investigators work to recover stolen property.

According to the sheriff’s office, detectives have executed search warrants and charged four people so far, recovering more than $6,000 in stolen goods.

Storage unit thefts are difficult to investigate, officials said, because many facilities operate with little or no on-site staff. Units are often rented online, and some facilities rely solely on automated kiosks.

“Security should always be a top priority when choosing to store your personal items that often have sentimental value and are not replaceable,” BCSO District 1 Capt. Dustan Auldredge said in a news release. “We will continue to do everything in our power to identify and track down the people committing these crimes and recover what was taken from these customers.”

Detectives say the long periods between visits to storage units can make it harder to pinpoint when crimes occurred. Many victims also lack detailed inventories or serial numbers for their belongings, complicating recovery efforts.

The sheriff’s office recommends that anyone using a storage unit:

Keep an updated inventory and record serial numbers for valuables.
Check units regularly for damage or tampering.
Ask facility managers about surveillance cameras, gate security and the possibility of adding personal cameras.
Authorities also encourage customers to report malfunctioning gates or cameras immediately.

Charges filed include: