Somerset West police have warned gym visitors to look after their belongings after a drastic increase in theft cases had been reported at various gyms.
“Over the past weeks a concerning number of cases were reported where members visited the gyms, placed their valuable items in their gym bags, and when they return to their bags they find their belongings have been stolen,” said Sergeant Suzan Jantjies, spokesperson for Somerset West police.
JP Hendrikz, owner of Willow Way Fitness in Somerset West, confirmed his gym had one case in September last year.
“Our iPad was stolen from our front desk,” he said. “We have had no other incidents since then.”
Ballistix Crossfit in Somerset West confirmed it had not experienced any of these thefts, but mentioned laptops and other technology items left in sight at businesses around them had been stolen over the last six months.
Jantjies confirmed no arrests had been made and the investigation was ongoing. Police made a request to gym members to not take their valuable items such as cellphones, laptops or wallets with them to gyms.
Anyone with information on people involved in these crimes are kindly requested to contact the Somerset West detective branch at 021 850 1344.
