JUST BROWSING
SYLVAN LAKE, MI
12/08/25
Bloomfield Township police are investigating a break-in reported Dec. 8 at iStorage Self Storage, 1782 Pontiac Drive, Sylvan Lake, MI. According to police, exterior locks were cut and removed from two storage units but no items were reported stolen, and multiple valuables were left inside the units. Investigators said the suspect(s) may have been searching for specific items, were interrupted during the break-ins, or abandoned the crime for another reason. A set of bolt cutters was recovered at the scene. Police noted the facility does not have a video surveillance system. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 248-433-7755. Source: Oakland Press
SMOKEY & THE BANDIT
OAKLAND COUNTY, MI
12/08/25
Motown legend Smokey Robinson and his wife, Frances Robinson, have filed a temporary restraining order against a former employee, alleging she unlawfully removed thousands of dollars’ worth of personal property from a family-owned self-storage unit. According to court filings, the woman is one of several individuals involved in a separate, ongoing sexual assault civil lawsuit against Robinson. The Robinsons deny the allegations made against them in the broader lawsuit. Attorneys for the Jane Doe plaintiff have disputed the Robinsons’ claims, calling them retaliatory and unrelated to the underlying legal action. No criminal charges related have been filed and the matter remains under review by the court. Full Story On MSM.
PONTOON BUFFOONS
PONTOON BEACH, IL
12/04/25
Travis T. Pillman, 37, of Bunker Hill, and Ashley J. Fulmer, 29, of Kampsville, were both charged on Nov. 20, 2025 with two counts each of burglary, all Class 2 felonies. The duo allegedly entered the same storage unit building at Stuff Self Storage in the 4000 block of Pontoon Road in Pontoon Beach with the intent to commit a theft on Oct. 2, 2025. They have been granted pretrial release from custody and await trial. Source: RiverBender
REPEAT & REPEAT
STOCKTON, CA
12/04/25
Brandon Ellingson, 42, on probation for possessing a stolen vehicle, and Johnathan King, 30, on parole with warrants out for negligent discharge of a firearm and burglary, have been arrested for being in possession of $33,000 worth of stolen property, including cash, collectibles, and tools. Deputies apprehended the men fleeing Big E Self Storage on Newton Road where they'd been spotted jumping the fence and cutting off a lock on a storage unit. The stolen items were discovered in their getaway vehicle. Both are being held without bail. Source: Stocktonia
FIRE & ICE
OMAHA, NE
11/30/25
Despite snowy conditions, a fire broke out at a southwest Omaha Public Storage facility near 180th and Harrison around 6:30 a.m. Sunday morning. Firefighters had to cut through the front gate of the property to reach the burning units. Approximately 17 units were affected. Seven were destroyed, and 10 others sustained heavy smoke damage. Among the items lost were an RV and two boats. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and no injuries were reported. Source: WOWT News
SHARPIE-FACE SEIZED
ELBURN, IL
11/25/25
Benjamin C. Audet, 33, of St. Charles has been accused of burglarizing multiple units at Convenient Self Storage in Elburn. The poorly tattooed man is charged with 10 counts of burglary, plus criminal damage to property over $10,000, and theft. The burglary was reported May 3, and charges were authorized Aug. 4. Audet was arrested Monday at the McHenry County jail, where he was in custody on an unrelated case. Source: Shaw Local
INCIDENT IN EDINBURGH
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND
11/29/25
Around 9:30 a.m., police responded to calls about an injured man outside Safestore Self Storage, located within the Fort Kinnaird retail part on Newcraighall Road in Edinburg, Scotland. Emergency crews transported the 22-year old male victim to the hospital for treatment. Officers remained at the scene throughout the day. A Police Scotland spokesperson said "Inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and officers are following a positive line of inquiry.” Source: Yahoo
FENTANYL FORTRESS
HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO
11/17/25
The largest-ever counterfeit fentanyl pill seizure just occurred at a Colorado Highlands Ranch storage unit after a winning auction bidder found roughly 1.7 million pills plus 12 kilograms of fentanyl powder. The DEA, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, and Douglas County Sheriff’s Office linked the stash to an ongoing case, and the unit’s registered owner is already in federal custody. Officials say the powder alone had the potential to generate another six million pills. Full Story On MSM.
ROCHESTER DISASTER
ROCHESTER, MI
11/14/25
A stubborn blaze tore through a Sto-Away Storage building, burning for more than nine hours and destroying all 80 units inside. Tenants arrived to find belongings soaked, scorched, or reduced to ash, with several reporting total losses including business inventory and sentimental items. Fire investigators are still working to determine the cause. Full Story On MSM.
FACILITY FATALITY
Covina, CA
11/2/25
At One Stop Storage in Covina, CA, an employee, 44-year-old Patricia Villa, was fatally shot during an argument with a tenant, 66-year-old Juan Nava, around 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. Nava believed items were being stolen from his unit and had previously contacted police about the alleged theft. When officers later arrested Nava, they found numerous assault rifles and ammunition in his home. Full Story On MSM.
MORNING MAYHEM
Holbrook, NY
10/30/25
A morning fire at Prime Storage at 868 Lincoln Ave. brought in multiple engines.Fire damage was contained to approximately 10 units with smoke damage to numerous others. The scene was secure at 10am. One firefighter sustained minor injuries and was transported to Stonybrook University hospital for observation. Source: Holbrook Fire
NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM
Oakland, CA
10/30/25
More than 1,000 artifacts, including historical items and jewelry, were stolen from the Oakland Museum of California’s off-site self-storage facility. The FBI is investigating. Source: Guardian
FATAL FIRE
Reading, PA
10/27/25
Fire crews responding to a blaze at a row of storage units discovered human remains inside one of the units. Investigators believe someone had been living in the space. The cause is under investigation, and the entire facility is now treated as a crime scene. Read The Full Story On MSM
LA BLAZE
West Los Angeles, CA
10/26/25
A two-story EZ Storage facility went up in flames early Sunday. Firefighters cut access holes after the second-floor deck became unstable. Damage was contained to a section of the building, and no injuries were reported. Fire officials haven’t determined the cause. Source: NBC4-LA
TROUBLESOME FOURSOME
Buncombe County, NC
10/27/25
Authorities arrested four suspects after a rash of storage break-ins followed Tropical Storm Helene. Roughly $6,000 in stolen goods were recovered. Deputies urged customers to check units and secure valuables as investigators say more suspects could be at large. Source: ABC13 News
SHYSTERS SHACKLED
San Francisco, CA
10/24/25
A large-scale organized retail theft and fraud operation that trafficked in stolen merchandise and leveraged a nationwide gift card scheme exploiting older victims has been dismantled by the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office. Deputies served five search warrants at homes, storage units and a warehouse in San Jose and Campbell, arresting six people. Shame on Thanh Vo, Corey Guting, Erik Nguyen, Ye Zhang, De Lu, and Yan Wong. Source: Yahoo
$100K UP IN SMOKE
Bend, OR
10/24/25
An early-morning fire at Storage Solutions on Twin Knolls Drive resulted in three fire-damaged units, while others suffered smoke-damage. Losses are estimated at $25,000 for the building and $100,000 for the contents of the units. The investigation is open but appears accidental. Source: KTVZ.com
CHARGED UP
Milford, PA
10/23/25
A multi-unit fire broke out around 7:30 a.m. at A‑1 Storage (1600 block of P Ave., near the Iowa Great Lakes). Heavy smoke and fire spread fast due to the open-nature of the building. Investigators believe a generator behind the building, which was being used to charge several batteries inside one unit, caused the fire. Source: KTIV.com
BEACH BLAZE
Virginia Beach, VA
10/21/25
Firefighters battled a blaze Tuesday evening at Potter Self Storage after flames tore through at least one unit. Crews forced entry to contain the flames, attacking the fire from both inside and out. Officials said the blaze was confined primarily to one unit, though adjacent spaces suffered smoke and heat damage. There were no injuries and investigators are looking into the cause of the fire. Source: 13NewsNow.com
MONSTER MOM
Milwaukee, WI
10/22/25
Azyia Zielinski, the mother charged with child neglect after police found her six children locked inside a storage unit, has pleaded not guilty. A motion to dismiss was denied and she was bound over for trial. Police had been sent to a storage facility after receiving report of children crying inside a unit. The children's father Charles Dupriest is also facing charges and is set to appear in court soon. Read The Full Story On MSM
TOYS TAKEN
Huntingdon County, PA
10/21/25
Thieves reportedly stole approximately $5,000 of Toys for Tots donations being stored in a facility unit from a Moove‑In Self Storage facility located along Route 22 in Henderson Township. It remains under investigation. Source: WJAC
DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS
San Antonio, TX
10/18/25
Officers with the San Antonio Police Department responded to a reported burglary at a Public Storage – Fredericksburg Rd facility (8700 block of Fredericksburg Road). Inside a unit, a 58-year-old suspect allegedly fired at officers, who returned fire and struck the suspect. He’s in stable condition and faces aggravated assault charges. Source: KENS5
FIRE DOWN UNDER
Cardiff, Australia
10/16/25
A fire broke out at Kennards Self Storage on the second-level; at least six units were damaged and second floor structural issues were noted. A Large multi-crew response extinguished the blaze. Source: Newcastle Herald
HEATED ARGUMENT
Hagerstown, MD
10/11/25
Following an argument with a woman living in a storage unit at Halfway Storage, Leviathan Godwin, 23, set the unit on fire with her inside. Investigators say the victim, who was treated at the hospital after running through the flames to safety, told them Godwin intentionally set the blaze in an attempt to kill her. Godwin has since been arrested. Source: TheBayNet.com
STOLEN ON STARTER
West Mahanoy, PA
10/3/25
Police are investigating a theft at the STP Storage Facility on Starter Drive. Authorities have recovered property and are seeking the owner. The West Mahanoy Township PD is asking for public assistance with identifying a vehicle connected to the case. Source: Shenandoah Sentinel
BOWS & BLOWERS
Shiawassee, MI
10/2/25
Michigan State Police are seeking a man suspected of breaking into a storage unit at Schneider’s Mini Storage (M-21) and stealing multiple weapons: two rifles, a shotgun, and a crossbow. After the theft, police say the suspect also cut a lock on a storage trailer and made off with a snowblower. The suspect may have used a truck with stolen plates and altered paint. Source: WNEM5
HOT SPOT
Chesapeake, VA
10/1/25
A fire damaged several storage units at Extra Space Storage on Volvo Parkway. No injuries were reported. Firefighters were dispatched around 6:25 p.m. and had the blaze under control in under 30 minutes. Investigators are working to determine the cause of the blaze. Source: Chesapeake 13 News