Nassau Police: Local Gyms Getting Ransacked By Elusive Thief
LEVITTOWN, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A gym thief is on the loose and police say he's been caught on surveillance video.
The crook is sneaking past front desks of Long Island health clubs and ducking into locker rooms, CBS 2's Jennifer McLogan reported Monday.
Across Long Island word is spreading about a serial gym thief who snatches and grabs valuables while members work out.
Nassau Police: Local Gyms Getting Ransacked By Elusive Thief
"We pay a lot a of money to go to this gym and we should be secure," said Lynn Federman of Huntington.
"How did he walk in here without a pass to get into the gym?" wondered Audrey Glassberg of Woodbury.
"Everybody is checked on their way in, for identification, so I can't imagine how he would get in to pilfer," said Rose Ann Grieco of Dix Hills.
Nassau County Police released the latest video captured by surveillance of the mustached suspect easing his way past the front desk of one club and disappearing into the men's locker room.
"When there's a lot of people gathered outside he follows them in. The person at the desk is distracted. He is able to make his way to the locker room," said Nassau County Police Inspector Kenneth Lack.
The same crook is believed to be responsible for ripping off patrons inside Woodbury's Equinox and Levittown's LA Fitness gyms of cash, credit cards, jewelry, airline tickets, iPhones, and drivers' licenses, police said.
When asked if the thief is violent, Lack said, "No, strictly larceny. He does not want to confront people, just wants access to valuables in the lockers."
The savvy "gym rat" has used the stolen credit cards in shops across Nassau County and has pawned other valuables locally, police said.
Police suggest gym members invest in a sturdy combination lock, but add it is never a good idea to bring valuables into a health club.
Detectives said they hope someone recognizes the man on the surveillance video, and urge any victims to report thefts at once, adding the crook has been cashing in with the stolen credit cards.
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