S. WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – South Whitehall Township Police say more than $90,000 worth of merchandise stolen from storage units has been recovered.
The recovery follows an investigation into multiple burglaries and thefts from storage units at Public Storage on Route 309, the South Whitehall Township Police Department said in a news release.
Police said the investigation began on June 11 after officers responded to the facility for reports of property stolen from two adjoining storage units.
Investigators determined that somebody damaged locks and interior walls to gain unauthorized access to the units, township police said.
According to police, approximately $15,000 worth of property was reported stolen during those incidents.
Police received an additional report on Aug. 17 involving another storage unit at the same facility. Investigators determined that somebody compromised an interior wall to gain access to the unit and stole a substantial amount of property, according to the news release.
Police said the missing property included a vintage motorcycle, custom bicycles, tools, electronics, collectibles, clothing, furniture, musical equipment, and numerous other items.
During the investigation, detectives found out that some of the stolen property was being offered for sale at the Quakertown Farmers Market, township police said.
According to township police, more than 1,000 items belonging to one of the victims were identified at a vendor location associated with Anthony Rivera of Allentown.
Police say they connected Rivera and a vehicle associated with him to activity at the Public Storage facility during the period when the thefts occurred.
South Whitehall Township Police detectives and other law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a home in Allentown associated with Rivera on Aug. 25, according to the news release.
Authorities recovered a large quantity of suspected stolen property during the search, including a 1972 Harley-Davidson Sprint motorcycle and property linked to each of the three affected storage units, township police said.
Investigators estimate the approximate value of the recovered stolen merchandise at $90,000, according to township police.
Police say the investigation remains ongoing as detectives continue working to identify, document, and return recovered property to its rightful owners.
Rivera faces burglary, receiving stolen property, criminal trespass, criminal mischief, and theft by unlawful taking charges, according to court paperwork.
He faces a preliminary hearing Oct. 7.
Anyone with information related to these incidents is asked to contact the South Whitehall Township Police Department.