Lake Elsinore Man Suspected Of Embezzling From 9Round Gym

TEMESCAL VALLEY, CA — A Lake Elsinore man who worked at a Temescal Valley franchise fitness center was arrested Tuesday following a months-long investigation into suspected embezzlement at the business, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department reported.

Rick Calzada, 45, was taken into custody shortly before 6 p.m. in the 1300 block of Park Way in Lake Elsinore on suspicion of second-degree burglary, grand theft, embezzlement, obtaining money on false pretenses, and petty theft, according to jail records.

An investigation into Calzada by the sheriff's department began in April while he worked as a manager at 9Round fitness center, and suspicions about his activity there were forwarded to investigators.

During the investigation, it was discovered that approximately $40,000 in membership-related fees had been embezzled by Calzada from January 2019 to April 2020, according to the sheriff's department.

During Tuesday's search warrant service, "numerous items related to the embezzlement and theft were located," the sheriff's department said.

A 9Round location at 11882 De Palma Road in Temescal Valley is no longer operating. Founded in 2008 in South Carolina, 9Round franchises offer boxing and kickboxing training.

Calzada was booked into Cois Byrd Detention Center but has since been released, according to jail records. He is due to appear in court Nov. 10.