SEELEY LAKE - On two different nights, Wednesday, Jan. 20 and Friday, Jan. 22, the Clearwater Mini Storage Units were broken into. Missoula County Sheriff’s Deputy Heath Hanson said the cases are still under investigation. He invites anyone with information to call Crimestoppers, 406-721-4444 or place a non-emergency call to 9-1-1 and ask to be connected to him.
Deputy Hanson said that eight units had the locks cut off on Wednesday night. An employee from Clearwater Reality, the unit manager, reported the break-ins. Hanson said there was nothing obviously stolen. He began calling the storage unit renters to get an inventory list. Clearwater replaced the locks.
A local rancher was out at the units on Saturday and reported the second break-ins. Deputy Hanson assumed the complex was hit again Friday night with locks being removed from nine units. At least two units were the same from Wednesday night.
Deputy Hanson said items were taken out of the units that were broken into a second time. Items that were reported stolen included jewelry and a Gamo Air Rifle. This list is still being compiled
Deputy Hanson believes it was a single vehicle with more than one person. There did not appear to be any commonalities between the unit locations, renters or locks that were cut. Hanson did note that the units with the higher end locks, including the round padlocks, seemed to be secure.
“Get a good security lock for your storage unit,” said Deputy Hanson. “The [Clearwater] storage units are out of the way and away from residents. You never know when or where they are going to get hit.”
The thefts are still under investigation. The public can leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers, 406-721-4444. Information leading to the arrest and conviction may be eligible for a monetary reward.
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