Thieves Steal From Cars Parked Outside South Jersey Gym

Women at a Cherry Hill fitness center are losing more than weight this week.

Police say they're losing their pocketbooks- left behind in their cars when they went in for a workout.

Police say two women struck a total of five vehicles Monday and Tuesday at the Future Fitness gym on Marlton Pike.

In each case, says Det. Sgt. Joseph Vitarelli, "if they see anything of value- namely pocketbooks, laptops, cell phones- they break the window, take the valuables and leave."

Security camera photos released by police show the two women- who are apparently working together- using stolen credit cards to make purchases at a local WaWa.

FOX 29's Bruce Gordon says gym members he talked to Tuesday hadn't yet heard about the thefts, but had some strong views on the subject of leaving valuables inside the cars.

"I don't think people take as good care as they should, thinking it's an honest world-- and it's not," said one woman.

"Actually, I'm a little lax with it, so I'll be more careful now," said another.

And a third woman told Gordon, "Usually I lock stuff in a glove compartment. And usually I don't leave anything visible so- pretty much I like to keep it away. Or don't bring it at all."

Managers at Future Fitness wouldn't talk to Gordon on camera, but say they're reaching out to members via Facebook to notify them of the thefts, and are about to install security cameras in the parking lot.

Until then, says Det. Sgt. Vitarelli, "You have to secure your valuables. You're just inviting this problem when you leave valuables inside an automobile."

Police say they will devote specific resources to catching the thieves, whom they believe are looking for money to buy drugs.