Lynnwood, WA – The Lynnwood Police Department is reaching out to the public for assistance in identifying a group of thieves accused of targeting gym locker rooms and pilfering from unsuspecting gym-goers during their workouts. Over the past few weeks, investigators have noted a series of thefts occurring in multiple gyms across the Lynnwood area.
Dawin Suk, a Lynnwood gym customer, expressed his concerns, saying, “When I work out, I just bring a lock because I kind of get paranoid if I don’t.”
The police are urging gym patrons, like Suk, who frequent establishments such as LA Fitness, to remain vigilant and watch for the three individuals involved in these thefts.
“It’s kind of crazy they are breaking locks and stuff,” Suk commented.
While the exact locations of the thefts have not been publicly disclosed, authorities have noted that 24-Hour Fitness and LA Fitness in the Lynnwood area have been frequently targeted. According to investigators, the suspects employ tactics to distract gym staff members while their accomplices swiftly enter the locker rooms.
Jim Fuda, Director for Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound, revealed, “They’ve been distracting the staff, going into the locker rooms, stealing credit cards.”
Following these thefts, the culprits swiftly exploit the stolen credit cards at nearby stores before their victims have a chance to cancel them.
Fuda emphasized the need for gym-goers to take extra precautions, stating, “While people are working out, they are getting texts from the banks saying, ‘Are you using your cards here, there, or whatever?’ They have been going into the locker rooms and finding their lockers have been broken into and their cards stolen.”
The Director of Crime Stoppers advised using heavy bolt locks or keeping valuables within one’s immediate reach. “Leave your clothes and your toiletries, but take your stuff like your wallet with you, and when you are working out in the gym and when you go from machine to machine, just take it with you, so at least you can keep an eye on it,” Fuda suggested.
Suk shared his approach to keeping his belongings secure, saying, “I always try to keep my wallet and headphones and stuff like that in my pocket. It’s kind of a hazard because they do slip out a couple of times, but usually it’s not a big problem.”
If you have any information about the identity of the suspects, Lynnwood Police urge you to come forward. Additionally, Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to their apprehension. You can submit tips to Crime Stoppers anonymously by using the P-3 tips app on your cell phone.
