Second String of Vehicle Break-Ins Hits New L.A. Fitness

DECATUR, GA -- A rash of vehicle break-ins outside the new L.A. Fitness in Suburban Plaza has been reported, DeKalb Police say.

It's the second time since January that thieves have gone after that same parking lot.

On Thursday, police received reports of five cars being broken into outside the fitness center, at 1496 Church St. just barely outside Decatur city limits.

That follows a similar spree back in January, shortly after L.A. Fitness opened.

"Right now detectives have little information to go on," DeKalb County Police spokesman Maj. Stephen Fore said Tuesday. "There are not any security cameras at the location and no one has gotten a good description of any suspects."

Fore said detectives do not believe all of the break-ins are the work of one person or group.

Instead, he said, gyms tend to be a target for criminals because often, when people go to work out, they leave many of their belongings in their vehicles.

Electronics, wallets and cash were among the items taken in the latest series of break-ins.

Fore said the investigation into the crimes is ongoing, and that detectives are sharing information with neighboring jurisdictions because, often, suspects commit similar crimes throughout an area.

He urged people to never leave valuables in their cars, noting that in several of the L.A. Fitness break-ins, nothing was taken.

"Park as close to the business as possible where foot traffic is high so more often people will be within close site of your vehicle or park your vehicle where it is in view of others as much as possible, such as within sight of large windows of the business," he added.

The ongoing Suburban Plaza development, anchored by a new Walmart, is bringing a host of new retailers to the area just north of Decatur city limits.

LA Fitness joins Starbucks, JoAnn Fabrics, HomeGoods, Ross Dress For Less, Half Price Books, The Comet Pub & Lanes and Louisiana Bistreaux Cajun Restaurant among the businesses either already open or under construction.