Fitness Center Parking Lots Prime Spot For Car Break-Ins
By: Ali Touhey
Updated: February 5, 2013
"A would be thief would know that hey, those gym members don't want to carry a lot of things on them," explained Monroe County Sheriff spokesman, John Helfer. "So, they leave their wallet, and other items in the car that they don't want on them when they are working out."
Monroe County Sheriff's Deputies are investigating two car break-ins in a single week at the Bayview YMCA in Webster.
"There was a purse stolen, credit cards, cash, and a few other items of value."
Irondequoit Town Police are also looking into two car break-in's in as many days at the L.A. Fitness on East Ridge Road.
While the news is alarming to Midtown Athletic Club manager Bob McKernan, he says they haven't had any recent reports, and they're working hard to keep it that way.
"The security and the privacy of our members is very important to us and we do all we can to ensure that."
In fact, at Midtown Athletic Club, they recently installed seven security cameras to keep a watchful eye on the entire parking lot.
Signs are posted throughout the lot advising members to hide their belongings in a safe place. Police say that's good advice.
But they say to do it before you reach your destination. You never know who could be watching.
"We feel badly when it happens here but the more people keep things out of sight, the better it is."
Sheriff's don't believe any of the cases are related. No arrests have been made.
