Three units American Storage in East Helena were ransacked by thieves this week.
Kelli Tillo said, "My storage unit was locked. Our manager Tim said it was just cut in half, the lock was."
The damage was extensive; Tillo said, "They ruined things that didn’t need to be ruined."
She continued, "I was out here for about an hour and a half trying to put things back together. It looks like everything was taken out and thrown back in."
The thieves also made off with her music collection and sound system: "I had a brand new $200 stereo taken and majority of my CD collection."
Tim Davis, the owner of American Storage since 2007, said, "We’ve had three break-ins over the course of that nine years."
The facility has a hefty gate and security cameras, and Davis says he’s not sure what he can do to prevent this from happening again.
Davis said, "It makes me feel awful and I feel really bad for people who have lost possessions."
He advises customers to use cylinder or disk locks on their units, saying that they are the ideal lock for any storage unit.
Davis also noted that it’s important for customers to be alert: "Keep an eye on what’s going on around you. Make sure no one follows you in through the gate or goes in behind you as you’re leaving."
If you have any information about the theft and vandalism, you’re asked to call the Lewis & Clark County Sheriff’s Office at 406-447-8244.
