Rialto police arrest pair for theft of $100,000 storage unit – San Bernardino Sun

Rialto police investigating a string of nearly two dozen storage unit burglaries in the Inland Empire and Los Angeles County arrested a boyfriend and girlfriend on Thursday, Nov. 14, and said more than $100,000 in property was recovered.

Detectives served an arrest warrant at a Fontana home and arrested the couple, both in their 30s, said Rialto Detective Sgt. David Padilla. There, police found electronics, valuable wallets and clothing that were believed to be stolen, he said.

Another warrant was served at Extra Space Storage on Sterling Avenue in San Bernardino, Padilla said, where two units were searched. At the time Padilla spoke, only the first unit had been searched. He said it contained more than $100,000 in stolen property, including dental equipment that the owner valued at $30,000, as well as Lego sets and tools.

Some of the recovered property has sentimental value and other items are believed to be Christmas presents, he said.

Police are happy to return the property to their owners, Padilla said.

“It feels great, especially because we want the community to know that we are committed to doing our job,” Padilla said. “We will follow every investigation.”

The investigation lasted several weeks. Padilla said Extra Space Storage employees provided valuable tips and surveillance footage linked a car to the 20 thefts in the cities of Rialto and Fontana and Riverside and Los Angeles counties.

The couple would break locks on units, usually during the night hours, Padilla said. He said he believes the man and woman, who are both on probation after theft convictions, intended to sell the merchandise. They both also have convictions for possession of illegal drugs, he said.

Originally published: November 14, 2024 at 2:53 PM PST