Burglars smash into 3 storage units

Burglars used a vehicle to smash into three storage centers in Spokane Valley over the weekend, and Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for tips that help catch the culprits. The storage centers belonged to three businesses that work with ReMax Realty, according to Crime Stoppers. The first building at 12810 E. Nora sustained about $3,000 in damage. A building at 12720 E. Nora had four doors smashed, causing $10,000 damage; the third building had two doors smashed worth about $5,000. A ReMax representative said no one knew what had been stolen from the storage garages, according to Crime Stoppers. The burglaries apparently occurred between noon Saturday and noon Sunday. Officers photographed footprints left by potential suspects and seized pieces of taillight and brake light lenses left at the scenes. Detectives don’t know if the burglaries are connected to four smash-and-grab gas station burglaries that began before dawn on Friday, as well as burglaries that have targeted ATMs. “It seems to be becoming very popular to steal vehicles and drive them through buildings,” said Spokane County sheriff’s Sgt. Dave Reagan. Anyone with information on the crimes is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or submit tips online at www.crimestoppersinlandnorthwest.org. Tipsters do not have to give their name but should provide a code name or number.