Break-ins in Fort Vale homes have produced an unusual inventory of losses: mattress labels are missing, while cash, jewelry and televisions have reportedly been left in place.

The pattern has attracted the attention of private investigator Wong Gai. He believes the small government warnings attached to the mattresses are central to the case. He has offered a larger explanation for why someone would want them gone.

Chief Hootie’s office is treating the entries as a burglary inquiry. The department’s published statement asks residents to leave affected bedding undisturbed and distinguishes Gai’s theory from its own findings.

Gai says an experienced thief would take what everyone else overlooks. The department has not identified the purpose of removing the labels in its Internet bulletin.

The distinction has done little to settle residents’ questions. Their valuables are where they left them. The part of the bed they were warned not to remove is not.

The Tribune has requested an explanation of the theft pattern. In the meantime, the department’s notice concerns preserving evidence, not proving a national bedding conspiracy.