Bold thieves target health clubs
CINCINNATI (Deb Dixon) -- Crafty thieves broke into lockers at a fitness club and they left behind a big clue. Video showed them charging nearly $5,000 on a stolen credit card at Kenwood mall. While they were shopping, the victim thought his wallet was safely under lock and key. LA Fitness on Marburg isn't the only health club where the thefts are happening. At the front door a man with a gym bag conned his way inside. He was not a member. He followed a group into the LA Fitness by followed a young man. When counter people asked him for ID he pointed to the individual in front of him.The man walked to a window and started talking on a cellphone seeming casual and busy as he moved to the men's locker room. He was looking for people and seeing what they were doing. The victim noticed the individual in the locker room but didn't pay much attention to him.The victim put his wallet in a locker with a lock. Apparently, that was just what the thief was looking for. Police said he broke into the locker.There was evidence he created a master key using a piece of aluminum from a can. It's the new thing for thieves. When the victim got back to his locker his wallet with money was still in it. He didn't know until later his credit cards were gone; gone to Kenwood mall.The man who stole the credit card met up with another man in a Witness Brand hoodie and a woman. They were seen together going into Footlocker. Both men swiped a stolen card. The clerk didn't seem to notice, or else didn't care the cards were in the same name. The girlfriend used one of the stolen cards at a Chipolte before the final purchase was made at the Apple store. The new computer brought the grand theft total to $5,000. Not bad for one evening that did not involve an honest day's work. There is a reward through Crime Stoppers for information about the identities of the three people who used the cards. Call 352-3040 with information and you can collect the reward without giving your name.
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