ORANGE : Thieves Had Big Haul of Stored Valuables

The Orange Police Department on Wednesday announced five arrests in a theft ring in which hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of property was stolen, mostly from self-storage facilities throughout the county.

Police have recovered some of the property, including coins, stamps, U.S. currency dating back to the Civil War, vacuum cleaners, computers, VCRs, and jewelry. The burglars picked the locks at the storage facilities and then replaced them, so many victims did not notice that items were missing, police said.

Officers of Orange’s special enforcement detail began investigating the burglary ring last fall after they discovered stolen property at the residence of a suspect. Police say the ring could have been operating for as long as four years.

Arrested were Tim Gabriel, 32, of Anaheim on seven counts of possession of stolen property and William McBride, 25, of Orange on charges of auto theft and violation of parole.

Police have also arrested two people suspected of exchanging methamphetamines and cocaine for stolen property and an associate of one of the two. Officers declined to release the names of these three suspects.

Orange police are continuing the investigation with 10 other police agencies and expect to recover more stolen property. To inquire about the stolen property, which is being stored at the Orange Police Department substation in Santiago Hills, call Sgt. Mike Pollok at (714) 532-0313.