A rash of thefts from coin-operated washers and dryers across San Luis Obispo has police asking residents to watch out for suspicious laundry-room activity.
So far this month, 16 laundry-room burglaries have been reported, most in apartment complexes in the southern part of the city, according to a news release from San Luis Obispo police.
Man arrested after allegedly burglarizing SLO home also suspected of other burglaries, embezzlement
Seven vehicles burglarized in San Luis Obispo, police say
Man suspected of stealing purses from cars in Pismo Beach and SLO
Two more men arrested in SLO burglary investigation
Man accused of yelling at girl, punching witnesses who tried to intervene
Check out our photo gallery of people arrested in SLO County on suspicion of committing felonies and read about their alleged crimes. See photos »
The thief pries open the metal coin boxes with tools and steals the money inside, police said. In several cases, water lines were cut and the machines were turned upside down to get the coins out. Numerous machines have been destroyed, police said.
One of the burglaries was witnessed by a resident, according to the news release. The thief was described as a white or Hispanic man in his late 30s or early 40s, about 5 feet, 9 inches tall with dark hair, wearing a sweatshirt and blue jeans. When the resident confronted the thief, he left the area on a single-speed BMX-type bicycle, police said.
Residents are being asked to report any suspicious behavior near laundry rooms to the San Luis Obispo Police Department at 781-7317.
"The suspect is obviously making a lot of noise during these burglaries, and we are hoping that someone hears him and calls the police," Lt. Bill Proll wrote in the news release. "The suspect is also probably in possession of a large amount of coins."
SanLuisObispo.com is happy to provide a forum for reader interaction, discussion, feedback and reaction to our stories. However, we reserve the right to delete inappropriate comments or ban users who can't play nice. See our full terms of service here.
Here are some rules of the road:
You should also know that The Tribune does not screen comments before they are posted. You are more likely to see inappropriate comments before our staff does, so we ask that you click the "report abuse" button to submit those comments for moderator review. You also may notify us via email at webmaster@thetribunenews.com. Note the headline on which the comment is made and tell us the profile name of the user who made the comment. Remember, comment moderation is subjective. You may find some material objectionable that we won't and vice versa.
If you submit a comment, the username of your account will appear along with it. Users cannot remove their own comments once they have submitted them, but you may ask our staff to retract one of your comments by sending an email to webmaster@thetribunenews.com. Again, make sure you note the headline on which the comment is made and tell us your profile name.
Be the first to know what's going on in San Luis Obispo County. Just tell us how you want to find out — we'll take care of the rest.
Sign up for breaking news alerts from SanLuisObispo.com and get the latest news sent to your cell phone via text message.
By signing up for alerts from this site, you are signing up for a program that may include up to 5 SMS text alert(s) per alert category per day. There is no service fee charged per month but your carrier's standard text messaging and other charges may apply. You may stop this subscription service at any time by sending the text message "STOP" to 72737. You must be at least thirteen (13) years of age to use our alert services. If you are between 13 and 17 years old, you agree that you have received parental permission both to complete the registration process and to receive SMS content on your cell phone. For help, send the text message "HELP" to 72737. This service will work with ATT, Verizon, Sprint, Nextel, Alltell, US Cellular, Cincinnati Bell, Boost, Virgin Mobile USA, Celluar South, Telos, Centennial, East Kentucky Network, Cellcom, Immix and Rural Celluar.
E-mail »
Twitter »
Facebook »
iTribune »
Subscribe »
RSS »
About comments
Reader comments on SanLuisObispo.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Tribune. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.