Thieves tearing doors off gym lockers

BELLEVUE, Wash. — Detectives with the Bellevue Police Department are working to catch the thieves targeting local gyms.

So far this year, Bellevue has had 87 locker thefts at gyms.

Investigators say the thieves try to cut the locks, and if that doesn't work, they smash the hinges and rip the doors off. Once they get the belongings, they rush to a nearby store and rack up thousands of dollars in credit card charges. In many cases, they're using the stolen credit cards to buy gift cards.

In one case, police say the suspects got the gym member’s keys and stole a car.

“These guys are ruthless. They’re going to go in and take whatever they can and then they’re going to use it to buy stuff,” said Bellevue police spokesperson Meeghan Black.

“They come in and rip open the lockers any way they can, grab everything they can and run out. They take the credit cards and go to the store immediately and within an hour have racked up thousands of dollars of credit card fraud.”

Investigators are encouraging people to keep their valuables with them as they work out. Officers don't want people to leave belongings in cars, because there have been problems with car prowls at gyms, too.

Issaquah police sent out a warning Thursday.

KIRO 7 met with Bellevue police and found the problem extends from Everett to Renton as well.

Detectives from Bellevue's Special Enforcement Team are working with police from other agencies in an attempt to end the crime spree.

More news from KIRO 7

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