The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a recent string of commercial burglaries in Buellton.
Sheriff’s officials say three businesses were broken into sometime between Sunday evening and Monday morning.
The affected businesses are Pattibakes, located in the 200 block of Highway 246, as well as Morell’s Farm Fresh Dining and La Botte Bistro, both in the 200 block of McMurray Rd.
The crimes were discovered Monday morning. Investigators say in each case, the burglars forced entry and stole cash from the register.
Just before 2 a.m. on Tuesday, sheriff’s officials say deputies responded to a burglar alarm at Valley Tool and Truck Rental in the 800 block of McMurray Rd. When deputies arrived, they reportedly found the gate to the business had been ripped off its hinges, several windows were smashed, and one of the company’s vans had been stolen.
Investigators believe the stolen van was used to break open the gate.
The sheriff’s office believes the four burglaries are connected.
Anyone with information about any of these crimes is urged to call the sheriff’s Buellton station at (805) 686-8150. To leave an anonymous tip, call (805) 681-4171 or visit the sheriff’s website.
