CLEARLAKE — For several months Clearlake Police Department (CPD) has taken several reports of burglaries of storage units at B&K Storage on Old Highway 53. “Unfortunately, there were no leads to follow up on and the cases had remained unsolved,” CPD Sgt. Rodd Joseph stated.
During the week of Aug. 26 CPD officers got information linking the storage facility”s residential caretaker, Nick Hoskins, as being involved in at least one of the storage facility”s burglaries. CPD detectives obtained a search warrant, commanding officers to search Hoskins” residence located at B&K Storage and the thrift store located at 7050 Old Highway 53, which is also owned and operated by Hoskins.
CPD officers believe the thrift shop was used as a fencing operation to sell stolen property from the storage facility, Joseph stated.
On Monday at about 12:30 p.m., CPD officers and detectives served search warrants at the two locations.Two separate teams of officers were used to serve the warrant simultaneously.
While serving the warrant at B&K Storage, officers contacted Andrew Levine just outside Hoskins” residence.Levine initially reached into his pockets as officers approached and refused to follow orders. Officers detained Levine and he was found to have suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia on him. Levine was arrested. Officers then contacted Hoskins who refused to come to the door and let officers inside. Officers had to force entry into the residence. Drug paraphernalia was reportedly located in Hoskins” residence and he was arrested.
During service of the warrant, stolen property from one of the storage burglaries was located throughout his residence as well as suspected methamphetamine. A .22 rifle was also found in Hoskins” residence and an illegal “Blow Gun” with ammunition. Hoskins is a prior convicted felon and may not possess firearms. Hoskins was additionally charged with these violations.
While officers were at Hoskins” residence, another team of officers served the warrant at the thrift store. Officers reportedly located additional stolen property from the same storage facility burglary for sale in the thrift shop. Officers reportedly found additional stolen property from a separate B&K Storage facility burglary, which had already been reported to the CPD in June. All of the identified stolen property was recovered by detectives.
Because of reported unsafe conditions inside the thrift store during the service of the search warrant, the Lake County Fire Protection District Fire Marshal arrived and closed the business for fire safety concerns.
Because at least two storage facility burglaries are linked to Hoskins, he was also charged with two counts of burglary. Hoskins and Levine were booked into the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility. Detectives are investigating possible links Hoskins may have to other storage facility burglaries.
Not all property that was reported stolen was located. CPD officials stated that some may have been moved to other locations or sold to unsuspecting customers.
Anyone with information on these burglaries at B&K Storage is asked to contact Det. Ryan Peterson at 994-8251, ext. 320. Callers may remain anonymous.
