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9-13-2021 9:20pm
Locker Room Thief Grabs Rolex, Credit Cards, Leaves Cash at Lifetime Fitness
Darlene Cancell
Editor
Image by Luciano Belviso from Flickr
At least 4 thefts have been reported out of the men’s locker room at Westwood’s Lifetime Fitness in recent days. One incident occurred on Wednesday, September 8th. Three additional incidents occurred on Thursday, September 9, 2021.
On Wednesday last week, a Needham resident was driving home after an afternoon workout at Lifetime Fitness when he received a call from his wife. She told him that a notice of fraud was put on his credit card. Two of his credit cards were used to make purchases totaling about $10,000 from the Apple Store and Bed Bath & Beyond in Dedham.
He pulled his car over. He discovered that a credit card and debit card were missing from his wallet. All other cash and credit cards were accounted for. The missing cards apparently were taken while his wallet was stored in a Lifetime Fitness locker.
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The following day, a Canton resident placed his wallet, cell phone, and gym bag in a Lifetime Fitness locker while he exercised. After leaving the gym, he stopped to purchase gas. He noticed 2 credit cards were missing from his wallet. One was a personal credit card, and the other was a corporate card.
When he initiated a cancellation of the cards, he discovered that one was used at the Apple Store in Chestnut Hill for a $5,000 purchase and the other card was used at the same store for a $3,074 purchase.
Around 2:30 p.m. also that Thursday, another larceny at Lifetime Fitness was reported to police. The case was taken by a Westwood Police detective who is following up on it.
A third report on Thursday involved a stolen Rolex, worth $17,000. A Lifetime Fitness member from Florida was using the gym facilities in Westwood between 1:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. on Thursday. He put his Rolex watch and wallet in a locker while working out. When he returned to his locker, the Rolex, a silver diver’s watch with a black face, was missing. His wallet and a fair amount of cash were left behind.
Image by Tim Wayne from Flickr
Lieutenant Christopher Sheehy of Westwood Police notes that gym locker thefts are a widespread problem and have also occurred in a number of towns that abut Westwood. Thieves may have learned to exploit a flaw in gym lockers.
The perpetrators tend to take a few credit cards which they immediately use to make purchases before victims of the theft can discover their loss. The thieves resell the items they purchased with the stolen cards. According to Lt. Sheehy, the items may be resold for pennies on the dollar. They may pop up on websites like craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.
Lt. Sheehy advises gym goers to lock their valuables in their vehicles, out of sight, before entering the gym. Another option is to bring a personal lock to use in the locker room. Lastly, stow valuables in a gym bag or a minimalist fanny pack which can be kept with the owner during a workout.
Thanks to Lieutenant Christopher Sheehy and the Westwood Police Department for contributing information for this article.
