Police investigation after alleged gym locker room theft
A victim of an alleged theft of valuables at a gymnasium in the east of Pretoria wants to alert other gymgoers to be careful of who is watching them in the changing rooms when they are putting away their belongings in the change room locker.
The Planet Fitness Olympus Club in Olympus Drive in Pretoria east says it regrets that one of its clients had been a victim of a crime at the premises.
National business administration manager Ronelle Naidoo said: “It is understandably upsetting for the client.”
She confirmed the gymnasium group has had two locker room crime incidents at the Olympus Club in the last six months.
The member, who wants to remain anonymous, alleged two cellphones and a watch were stolen from a locker in the changing rooms.
She reported the matter to the gym management and laid a charge at Boschkop police station.
Warrant-Officer Johan van Dyk, spokesperson of SAPS, confirmed the case had been reported.
“The alleged theft of the valuables is being investigated at present,” said Van Dyk.
The victim alleged the so-called thief “was sitting in the change room for a long time, supposedly accessing different lockers and watching other members”.
The victim said the gym contract she signed fully indemnifies it, even in instances where it was negligent.
She wants to warn other members to be careful not to experience a similar loss.
“My watch and phones were not insured and I have lost my personal photos and videos. The gym management does not care.
I feel they have been negligent as my information points towards a person that has been implicated in a previous alleged theft at another branch,” claimed the member.
The victim said she had hired a private investigator to help her with the investigation.
Naidoo said an investigation by the group has revealed another separate but possibly related incident of a locker room theft at the Brakpan club.
“While the coincidence of the same person accessing both clubs at the time of these incidents is apparent, we must be clear that without any proof to link them, it is only speculation. Whether this person is part of a syndicate is as yet unknown,” emphasised Naidoo.
She said thousands of gymgoers visited the group gyms every month, and managers and staff do what they can to support them daily on many different levels.
She said CCTV cameras were prohibited by law in the changerooms, for reasons of privacy.
“For this reason, we have three types of lockers: normal change room, bag and a highly visible bank of valuables lockers located in a controlled environment where we are permitted to instal cameras set up for constant CCTV surveillance,” said Naidoo.
She urged gymgoers not to mistake lockers in change rooms for safety deposit boxes.
“As with all large service providers, while contracts clearly indemnify the business against theft of personal possessions on the premises, we are fully committed to cooperating with our members and the SAPS,” said Naidoo.
“At this point, we are cooperating with the local law enforcement entity as it investigates this matter, which now falls outside of Planet Fitness’ jurisdiction.”
Naidoo said all gym clients should observed a few rules of thumb.
“They should make sure they do not leave valuables in changeroom lockers. Cameras are not allowed in this area in the interest of protecting their privacy.
“If they do need to leave valuables in a locker, they should make sure they use the special valuables lockers. They are under constant camera surveillance and in full view of members and staff.”
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