Crime & Safety

It's Gym Season: Tips to Avoid the Rash of Locker Thefts

There have been recent locker thefts at local gyms. Car break-ins have also occurred in gym parking lots.

It’s crunch time at fitness centers in Metro Atlanta and across the country. Folks want to shed those holiday pounds, and traditionally gyms are packed during at least the first few weeks of the New Year.

That could mean that locker thefts will increase.

In mid-December, a man working out at LA Fitness on Roswell Road reported cash missing from his locker. He told police his locker had been secured with a combination lock. He later found that someone used a prying tool to open the lock, according to Police Capt. Steve Rose.

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Three other thefts were reported at that LA Fitness location during the same period.

Rose says, combination locks are not difficult to open…padlocks are better. He also advises, gym-goers to not leave valuables such as cash, wallets, credit cards or jewelry in lockers.

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Sandy Springs Patch suggests that you not use the locker at all, if possible, and simply keep your valuables in a small bag beside you while you workout.

In the past there have been car break-ins in LA Fitness parking lots at 6690 Roswell Road and the Perimeter Pointe location at 1155 Mount Vernon Highway, so do not leave your valuables in your car.

In November 2011, there were a series at thefts at both LA Fitness locations and Just Fitness on Roswell Road. At least one scenario entailed the thief using bolt cutters to open the lockers.

In another instance the thief posed as confused member saying he placed his lock on the worng locker and convinced a manager to open three lockers with bolt cutters.


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