Over the last two years, there have been 24 robberies that occurred in the parking lot of Lifetime Fitness and the Five Seasons Sports Club in Burr Ridge. In each case, a car window broken and valuables stolen from the car.
"Do not leave valuables in plain view. It literally takes seconds to smash a window," said Burr Ridge Deputy Police Chief Tim Vaclav.
Vaclav said the reason thieves seem to target both many times is because a large number of vehicles in the near future, which not only provides an opportunity, but a cover for thieves.
"Most people do not really pay attention to things that happen between the cars," said Burr Ridge Deputy Police Chief Tim Vaclav. "Vehicles that is very close together making it easy for individuals to hide about it."
Detective Marc Sergeant Loftus said that thieves check car doors to see if the owner had forgotten to lock them and watch to see what people bring when they enter the gym.
"It may sound like a stereotype, but women are being targeted," said Loftus. "If you get out of the car to go into the health club without a bag, the obvious assumption is that you have left your purse in the car."
Loftus said the gym members themselves are not in danger in the parking lot. This is because the thieves are just looking for quick, easy target. That's why if someone must leave valuables in the car, it's best to lock them in the trunk.
"Get [worth] of your seat, get it from under the seat or seat behind you. Key glove box," said Loftus.
Loftus said most of the crime seems to last between 10 and 11 am and 3:00 to 5:00
Deputy Chief of Vaclav says that people who go to the gym can help police catch the thieves by keeping their eyes open.
"The greatest assistance to those who walk through the parking lot to observe anything suspicious to contact us immediately," said Vaclav. "We do not want them to confront anyone, call 9-1-1 ... Do not have to walk toward them, just act like you are going about your business and call it in."
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