A Florida woman whose self-storage unit was burglarized says an insurance policy offered through her storage facility denied her theft claim despite the arrest of two suspects accused of targeting multiple units.
According to Orlando television reporter Mike DeForest of News 6, Eustis police responded to multiple reports of thefts at a FreeUp Storage facility on County Road 44 during November and December. Court records indicate thieves entered at least six units, stealing firearms, electronics, tools, vehicles, and other belongings.
Following an investigation, police arrested Nathaniel Olive, 31, and Lindsey Oliveira, 37. Both face multiple felony charges, including burglary and grand theft, and have pleaded not guilty.
One of the victims, Debbie Swarmes, told News 6 that more than $3,000 worth of belongings were stolen from the unit she shared with her son. The family had used the unit to store sentimental items recovered from a previous house fire, including tools and family keepsakes.
According to the report, Olive rented a unit at the facility at the time of the burglaries. Investigators noted that the units on either side of his were among those targeted.
Swarmes said she filed a claim through an insurance policy available to customers through the facility. However, she later received notice that the claim had been denied.
According to documents reviewed by News 6, the insurer cited a lack of evidence showing forced entry into the unit. The denial letter stated that electronic lock records showed no unauthorized access and that police found no visible signs of forced entry.
The policy reportedly defines a covered burglary as theft involving forcible entry into a securely locked unit with visible evidence of that entry.
The case has drawn attention because several victims reportedly told investigators they believed their units had been properly secured prior to the thefts.
Police reports reviewed by News 6 suggest investigators considered alternative methods of entry. In one report, officers noted that openings above some units could potentially allow access from adjacent spaces if a person removed a portion of the structure. Investigators indicated that may have been how at least one unit was entered, though reports did not specify exactly how the suspects accessed Swarmes' unit.
Neither FreeUp Storage nor Bader Insurance Company publicly addressed the specifics of the case. However, a spokesperson for Bader told News 6 that the company reviews all claims thoroughly and does not comment publicly on individual claim determinations.
The incident highlights a challenge that occasionally arises in self-storage theft investigations: when property is stolen without obvious signs of forced entry, insurance coverage may depend heavily on the specific language contained in the policy.
While criminal charges are moving forward against the accused suspects, Swarmes told News 6 she remains frustrated by the outcome of her insurance claim. "What's the sense in having insurance if they're not going to insure your stuff?" she said.