A man who rented a unit at two StoreLine Self Storage facilities in Wichita Falls, Texas, has been arrested for breaking into and stealing from other spaces. Police caught Justin Peoples on March 1 after a manager from one of the properties noticed him near someone else’s unit and called authorities, according to the source.

A tenant reported the first theft at 3224 Seymour Highway on Feb. 4. He told police his lock had been cut and welding equipment was missing from his unit. Another victim at the same property reported the theft of two bicycles on Feb. 24. Fifteen other units were also breached, police said.

On March 1, the manager of the facility at 2400 Southwest Parkway spotted Peoples at a unit with his car, trunk open. When approached by officers, the suspect claimed the unit belonged to his uncle and he was gathering tools on the uncle’s behalf. When they asked to see his key, he admitted to picking the lock, which he said he learned to do by watching a YouTube video. The actual renter of the space was asked to come to the facility. That customer confirmed he had no association with Peoples.

When officers searched Peoples, they discovered two lock picks and an Allen wrench in his pocket. Bank cards and other stolen items were found in his vehicle. Video surveillance shows him moving from unit to unit, picking locks.

Peoples has been charged with five counts of burglary.

StoreLine operates nine locations in Wichita Falls. The properties offer drive-up and climate-controlled storage as well as vehicle storage.

Source:
Texomas, Springtown Man Charged With Burglary After Renting Storage Unit in WF, Stealing From Other Units