7th District burglary alert: Public storage units targeted

Capt. Joseph Zaffino of the 7th District has issued an alert to those who use public storage units to take caution, as units in the district have been burglarized.

Centers in Bustleton and Somerton were targeted over the weekend.

Zaffino delivered the following alert through the ReadyNotifyPA network: Be advised that we have a developing pattern regarding public storage centers being burglarized. Last Saturday, 40 units, located at 1251 Byberry Road, had their locks cut off and items taken from several of those units. This past Saturday, the storage center located at 1553 Grant Ave. (Grant Plaza) had five storage units that had their locks cut off and equipment taken from one of the units. I am asking the public who have storage units to ensure that they have their unit secured with a disk-shaped lock. It seems that the units that have this type of lock were not compromised. If you have a storage unit, the office normally sells this type of lock. The areas that the offenders are entering makes it difficult for the general public to see from the street. However, anyone observing any type of truck exiting one of these facilities loaded with items, are asked to record the tag and turn it over to police. It may be someone legitimately moving their belongings, but then again, it may be our offender. Thank you for your cooperation.”