String of washer, dryer thefts reported in Yuba City
Jan. 2 — A dryer is taken from a complex in the 700 block of Clark Avenue.
Jan. 12 — A dryer is stolen from a complex in the 800 block of Clark Avenue.
Jan. 13 — Another dryer taken, this time in the 500 block of North Walton Avenue.
Jan. 18 — A washer is reported missing from a complex in the 600 block of Clark Avenue.
Jan. 19 — A washer and a dryer are stolen from the 800 block of Almond Street.
Jan. 21 — A washer is taken from the 800 block of B Street.
Jan. 29 — Another washer is stolen from the 1200 block of Williams Way.
Jan. 31 — A dryer and a washer are reported stolen from the 600 block of Shasta Street.
Feb. 4 — Two unidentified men try to take a washer and dryer from the 700 block of Clark Avenue.
Feb. 10 — A washer is taken from the 600 block of Shasta Street.
Coin-operated commercial washers and clothes dryers are disappearing from apartment complexes in Yuba City, and police are seeking the public's help to identify the thieves.
"They're not just taking the coin boxes, they're taking the whole washer or dryer," police spokeswoman Shawna Pavey said Wednesday.
Since Jan. 2, police have received 10 reports, roughly two per week, of missing washers and dryers from various Yuba City neighborhoods, police said.
A resident scared off two thieves on Feb. 4 when they tried to make off with a washing machine from apartments in the 700 block of Clark Avenue.
The witness reported two white adult men made a getaway in a black Ford F-150, police said.
Police said all the thefts occurred during evening and early morning hours and only one washing machine has been recovered — and that one tumbled off the getaway vehicle and on to Frederick Street.
"Where they're getting rid of them is something we'd like to know," Pavey said.
It's not clear why thieves are targeting laundry machines.
Thefts have been reported in neighborhoods relatively close together.
"We're investigating the strong possibility that the same individuals are involved in all of them," Pavey said. "It's pretty brazen to load up a whole machine and leave."
Officers did not have a lost or damaged property estimate on Wednesday.
Police advised residents to take precautions.
"Leaving your apartment complex laundry room unsecured is not good idea," Pavey said.
There have been no reports of missing clothing.
