Lincoln police are reporting an increase in commercial burglaries during the first nine months of 2026, with more incidents and higher financial losses than during the same period last year. LPD recorded 108 commercial burglaries from January through September, compared with 88 during the same period in 2025.
The numbers include burglaries at businesses, hotels, motels and storage facilities, but exclude construction sites. Public Information Manager Erika Thomas says storage facilities and hotels accounted for much of the increase.
“That includes eight additional storage unit burglaries and six additional hotel, motel burglaries,” Thomas says. The total value of losses increased by 23% compared with the same period last year, while property damage decreased by 27%.
Thomas says the year-over-year increase is worth noting, but the number of commercial burglaries remains below historical levels. Lincoln averaged 126 commercial burglaries during the first nine months of the year over the past five years. This year’s total is more than 14% below that average.
Police are encouraging residents and business owners to take steps to protect their property. For storage units, Thomas recommends using heavy-duty locks, choosing facilities with good security features and documenting valuable belongings.
Hotel and motel guests should lock doors and windows, secure valuables and keep belongings out of sight inside vehicles. Thomas also urges people to report suspicious activity or signs of tampering to police. Nonemergency information can be reported by calling 402-441-6000. Anyone facing an emergency should call 911.
LPD plans to release separate data on construction site burglaries next month.