CLARENCE, N.Y. — If you're headed to work out, New York State Police are reminding you to keep your keys on you or make sure they're secured in a locker because thieves have been targeting gyms in recent weeks.
Public information officer Trooper James O'Callaghan tells 2 On Your Side that there have been several cases recently where thieves rummage through lockers, steal keys, and drive away in the stolen vehicles.
"Specifically in the last couple of weeks, if not months, [thieves target] Planet Fitness, these larger gyms, with big locker rooms. We have people going in there and distracting the front desk while other people go into the locker rooms. They're solely looking for keys to vehicles and unlocked lockers. They're not taking the other belongings, coats, bags, extra sneakers. They're literally just taking the keys to the vehicle, going back out into the parking lot, and stealing the vehicles," said Trooper O'Callaghan.
Planet Fitness on Transit Road in Williamsville was one spot that was hit multiple times, according to State Police.
"A lot of the suspects we're looking at are between the ages of 13 and 17. This is just a crime of pure opportunity. If your keys are accessible, in a different location like an unlocked locker, and you can be taken advantage of, it's going to happen," said Trooper O'Callaghan.
Trooper O'Callaghan said one minor was just arrested for stealing keys and a car from a local gym.
He said vehicles have been recovered, but they're often times found in pretty rough shape.
"One had bullet holes in it, was used in multiple different pursuits. That vehicle was located by the Buffalo Police Department. We're working with them. OnStar shut down one of the cars in the city of Buffalo. That vehicle was evacuated and recovered, but then we look at a 17-year-old suspect that got into a pursuit, hit two law enforcement vehicles during that pursuit, and was arrested," said Trooper O'Callaghan.
He added that New York State Police in Troop A, which covers the eight counties of Western New York, has seen a 31% increase in vehicle larcenies from 2022 to 2023.