News 12 at 11, March 12, 2009

EDGEFIELD CTY, S.C.---Investigators are searching for a man they believe is responsible for breaking into six storage units.

Someone broke into Susan's storage unit and stole her riding lawn mower, worth about $1100, but even worse, her sense of security went along with it.

"It's heartbreaking to go take other people's property, no matter how hard times are, I mean it's hard for all of us," said Susan, who did not want to give her last name.

Investigators believe a heavyset white man in a dark blue or black Ford F-150 committed the crimes.

They say the man broke into another person's unit at Trenton Self-Storage, and they also believe he's responsible for four other break-ins at Edgefield Mini-Storage just the other day.

The thief broke locks to get into the units, but there are ways you can protect yourself.

When picking a storage facility, check out the security. Some have a person there 24 hours or allow access only with a swiped card.

Also,get insurance for the items, because it will come in handy not just for a break-ins, but natural disasters,too.

Lastly, take pictures and write down serial numbers so there is proof of what is stored there.

Susan's left cleaning up and moving out. The experience has her too worried about another burglary.

"He needs to go to jail. I mean, he has no right," she said.

Trenton Self-Storage does have a lock on the main gate, but Susan says it's often left open by other people who rent units, which is one more reason people need to make sure units are safe before getting one.