Please attribute to Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Salton, Waitemata Police
Police have arrested a man following a spate of burglaries and thefts from 24-hour gyms in Auckland.
The man is allegedly linked to more than 24 burglaries at gyms in various locations in the Auckland and Waitemata districts, from Royal Oak to Henderson, over the past month.
The offender would allegedly shadow paying members or use recently stolen swipe cards, getting access to the gyms and quickly rifling through people’s bags, taking Eftpos or bank cards out of wallets and stealing other items.
Many of the victims did not know their property was taken until much later, when the stolen cards had been used at nearby service stations.
Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Salton says it’s a reminder for people to keep their valuables on them or in a secure place at all times.
“If you’re heading out to the gym consider leaving valuables in a locker with a secure lock or in a pocket with a zip. Please don’t leave them in plain sight or in your vehicle where someone can easily snatch them. Out of sight, out of mind” he says.
“If you lose your credit card or notice it’s missing, immediately inform your bank and cancel the card, and if you have to take your mobile phone to the gym, keep it on you and consider downloading an app to help track down your mobile phone if you lose it.”
Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Salton says people are urged to report any crime or suspicious activity to Police immediately, no matter how small they think it is.
“If you see someone behaving suspiciously, call 111 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
A 25-year-old man is facing a number of charges in relation to burglary and unlawfully using a document and will next be appearing in the Waitakere District Court on February 18.
As the matter is before the courts, Police are not in a position to comment further.
ENDS
Adriana Weber/NZ Police