Gym Locker Theft Series NR13453cj

October 9, 2013

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department, West Los Angeles Division, theft detectives are asking for the public’s help to identity a suspect linked to thefts from fitness gym lockers since August 2013.

During the months of August and September 2013, there have been eight reported incidents of thefts from gym lockers at Los Angeles area fitness centers.  These incidents have occurred at Equinox Fitness and LA Fitness in the West Los Angeles, Van Nuys and Hollywood areas.

It is believed that the same suspect is responsible for all of these incidents as well as two additional incidents being handled by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

The suspect enters the fitness centers and removes the victim’s belongings and flees the gym. The suspect is known to have used the victim’s credit cards at various Los Angeles and Orange County area stores.

The suspect is described a 35 to 40-year-old African-American male with a bald head. He stands between 5 feet 8 inches and 6 feet tall and weighs between 215 and 230 pounds.  He wears glasses and has been seen wearing blue denim, black basketball shorts and black or blue t-shirts.

Anyone with information identifying the Suspect is asked to contact LAPD West Los Angeles Theft Detective Tiffany Maston at (310) 444-1565.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.