Suspect in Multiple Gym Thefts, Including Stoughton, Arrested

A Taunton man wanted by police in multiple theft cases, including one in Stoughton, has been arrested by police.

John A. Root, 28, was charged in a Norwood case with breaking and entering a vehicle in the daytime, two counts of larceny from a building, larceny under $250 and receiving a stolen credit card.

Police told the Enterprise he will be charged with breaking and entering a motor vehicle, larceny over $250, credit card fraud over $250, identity theft and uttering false documents in the Stoughton case.

Earlier this week in Norwood, police received a report of a theft at a gym in Norwood. According to police, Root and his half-brother John Fisher, asked for a registration form, and walked towards the locker room. While it appeared they were finding a place to fill out the forms, they were allegedly searching for open lockers.

One person told police that when he returned to his locker after a workout, it appeared that someone went through it. When he went to his car, someone had stolen his wallet and opened the center console and glove compartment.

The suspects used the victim’s credit cards at the Westwood Target. A loss prevention officer was able to capture their photo and license plate as they left the store, finding the two to be suspicious.

The case is similar to the Stoughton incident, where Root allegedly entered Elite Fitness and searched for unlocked gym lockers. Once an unlocked locker was found, Root allegedly removed the victim’s car key from the locker, unlocked their vehicle in the parking lot, and stole a wallet. The victim’s credit cards were used at various pharmacies.

Root will be arraigned in Stoughton District Court on a date to be announced.

Photo Credit: Norwood Police