Cops look into gym-theft ties

South O.C. crime may be linked to thefts in Newport Center parking lot in November.Newport Beach Police are investigating whether a car burglary in a South Orange County fitness gym parking lot is connected to a similar spate of thefts in Newport Beach in November.

The Tuesday morning theft from a car parked outside an Aliso Viejo 24 Hour Fitness is the most recent in a string of thefts from vehicles in gym parking lots across the county, officials said.

Over the holidays, a thief targeted gyms in Laguna Hills, San Juan Capistrano and Foothill Ranch, breaking into cars and stealing valuables, officials said.

A man believed to be responsible for those burglaries was videotaped purchasing items from a nearby store. The man has not been caught.

The thief responsible for Tuesday’s car burglary is not likely the same person and could be a copycat, said Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Susan Edwards.

In November, there were four reported car burglaries in the parking structure adjacent to the Newport Center 24 Hour Fitness. In all the burglaries, the thief smashed a car window to gain access to the vehicles and made off with credit cards, among other items, police said.

Newport Beach resident James Van Orden was one of the victims. Van Orden’s sport-utility vehicle was broken into Nov. 21, while he was working out at 24 Hour Fitness. His briefcase, containing personal and business checks, and his wallet were among the things stolen.

“I was in the gym at 5:30 [p.m.] and they were spending my money at 6:20 [p.m.],” Van Orden said.

Police said a man was seen on videotape buying things at an Aliso Viejo Comp USA store using Van Orden’s stolen checks.

Police are comparing the video from the Comp USA store with the video recently obtained by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Newport Beach Sgt. Bill Hartford said.

Newport police are aware of the vehicle burglaries in South Orange County and have alerted patrol officers of the man and his vehicle description, Hartford said.

An assistant manager at the Newport Center 24 Hour Fitness said Saturday that the gym has taken precautions to warn people about vehicle break-ins.

Signs are posted throughout the gym, reminding people not to leave valuables in their cars and to report any suspicious activity in the parking lot.

Police said people should take precautions against becoming the victim of a thief.

“Don’t leave anything in your car,” Edwards said. “Anything that can be seen can be targeted.”

“It’s not safe just because you lock the car,” Edwards said.