A Plainville, Conn., man has been arrested on charges relating to the theft of more than $15,000 worth in goods from a self-storage facility. Charles Soto, 36, was charged with first-degree larceny, 131 counts of third-degree burglary and 131 counts of third-degree criminal mischief. He turned himself in on August 21 after learning of a warrant for his arrest. He was held on a $250,000 bond.
In November, police received a call indicating that locks had been cut on 131 units at a Public Storage facility. A large opening had been cut in the fence and a truck driven through. Afterward, tenants reported 142 missing items including power tools, TVs, shotguns and others.
In April, police got a break in the case when one of the victims got a call about one of his stolen items, which had his name on the service-repair tag. Police traced the item to the man who sold it on craigslist. Upon getting a warrant and searching Soto’s property, they found a multitude of items, many of which were later identified by storage tenants.
When questioned, Soto implicated his brother, Richard Soto, and a friend, Ted Bishop, saying they asked him to help them move heavy items with this truck and paid him $500 to do so. Charles has a record including larceny and drug offenses.
Police are charging all three men in connection with the case. Richard is in custody on unrelated charges and will be charged. Bishop’s whereabouts are unknown.
Source: The Bristol Press, Plainville man charged in theft from storage 'gold mine'
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