Gym Locker Room Thief Caught In Berkeley, Police Say

BERKELEY, NJ — A man was caught stealing from unsecured lockers at a local gym during January and February, Berkeley police said.

Berkeley police received four separate calls that items like cash and clothing were stolen from the Retro Fitness locker room while the victims were using the gym, police said. None of the lockers that were stolen from had locks on them, police said.

On Feb. 6, one gymgoer called police to report seeing the suspected thief in his locker, rummaging through his duffle bag, police said.

He immediately alerted Retro Fitness staff, who contacted Berkeley police. Staff confronted the suspect while still inside the gym; he remained until police arrived, police said.

Due to multiple thefts previously having been reported, Berkeley detectives also arrived on the scene.

The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Bayville resident Mario Cruz-Hernandez, was taken to police headquarters and linked to the previous thefts, police said. Additionally, all the stolen property was recovered and will be returned to its rightful owners.

Cruz-Hernandez was charged with one count criminal attempt (theft) for the Feb. 6 incident and four counts of theft. He was released on a summons with a pending court date.