Thieves lift $800 in cans

Approximately $800 in aluminum was reported stolen from the Cal State Long Beach Recycling Center after burglars broke in, located some keys and operated the center's forklift, University Police said. "They cut the lock with bolt cutters," King said, referring to the front gate leading into the courtyard.

She said the burglars then broke the lock on the shed and retrieved the keys that operated the forklift.

The burglars then used the forklift to lift dumpsters filled with aluminum cans, King said.

Martin Tran, an employee at the Recycling Center, first told police of the theft when he arrived at work Oct. 14.

Although police have no suspects in custody, King said it seems likely that the perpetrators knew what they were looking for and where to find it.

King said the fact that the burglars knew where the key was and how to drive the forklift brings suspicion that the theft may have been an inside job.

"I always hate to see this happen," said center manager Chad Franklin. "The Recycling Center has been a victim of theft before. They used to cut through our fence with bolt cutters."