MIDDLETOWN, Ohio – An unknown thief or thieves made off with items stolen from a storage facility near Middletown Regional Airport, cutting nearly 40 padlocks in the process.
The stolen items taken from Progressive Store and Lock included sports memorabilia, coins and electronics.
Ken Roberts said he just moved to Middletown and went over to his storage unit to get some tools when he discovered the theft.
“When I pulled up, I noticed my lock wasn’t there,” he said.
Roberts started second-guessing himself, wondering if he had left the lock off – until he looked inside.
“As soon as I raised the door, it was obvious that somebody had just strewn everything through the locker,” he said.
Among the missing items were a coin collection containing steel pennies from World War II, diecast cars and items like Beanie Babies belonging to his daughter
They represented “a lot of accumulated history and things that you save through time and can’t be replaced,” he said.
Roberts said he asked if the theft had been caught on camera, and was “shocked” to learn that there were no cameras at the facility.
The owner of Progressive Store and Lock said he was in the process of improving the security system, including the addition of cameras.
In the meantime, Roberts asked that whoever was responsible return the items.
“Think about how you would feel if it was yours and do the right you,” he said. “You know who it is, do the right thing.”
Middletown police asked that anyone with information call Crimestoppers at 513-352-3040.
