Five businesses were broken into earlier this week and police are trying to decide if they’re related. Video surveillance proves that at least two of the crimes were related.
A person(s) broke into the fence at A-1 Peterson Plumbing in Orange on Border St. and stole one of their vans that was white with graphics on the side and a ladder on top. That van was then seen on video pulling up to Mello Plumbing in West Orange.
Multiple people exited the van dressed in black and proceed to break into the gate at Mello’s. A short time later, the van can be seen leaving the thru gate with a trailer in tow, going south on Broad Street.
The next day the Petersons would receive a call from an apartment complex in Houston saying their van was parked in a reserve spot, apparently ditched by the thieves. The trailer was not attached to the van. But by the time they were able to send someone to get the van, it had been taken again and has not been located.
West Orange Officers were dispatched this week to Body Works on MacArthur Dr. Upon arrival, the owner, Mark Bland informed officers that a shop he has on his property had been broken into. Bland noticed a hole in the wall on the east side of the building. The metal had been peeled back and insulation was lying on the ground. Additionally, it was discovered that a lock had been cut off the roll up door on the south side of the building. Bland stated he was missing a Miller wire feed welding machine, a Dewalt cut off saw, a Dewalt battery operated grinder and a Dewalt bluetooth speaker.
A similar style theft also occurred in Pinehurst this week at URent All and the new Colburn’s location on Strickland.
A person(s) cut into the fence at URent All and attempted to steal several items as they were moved around. The owner, Richard Roberts, believed maybe what they were trying to take was too heavy to carry as items were moved but not taken. Soon after its believed the same thief or thieves then got into the Coburn’s location by prying away the outside wall and taking various items.
Most of the owners we talked to said they have already started adding more lights and cameras. Police say they have a few leads and hope to put together a case soon.
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