More Info. About Thefts At West Long Branch Retro Fitness

WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ — The man accused of stealing from gym-goers at the Retro Fitness in West Long Branch did not work at the gym, but he was a member of a Retro Fitness in another location, said police.

That's how he got access to the gym, and the men's locker room where the thefts occurred, said police.

Edward Byham, 35, of Howell, was arrested Feb. 13. He was charged with theft, criminal attempt to commit theft, possession of burglary tools and theft of services.

In January and February, the West Long Branch Police Department received eight separate reports of cash stolen from gym lockers. All of the thefts occurred in the men's locker room. In nearly all of the incidents, the lockers had been left unlocked, said West Long Branch Police Lt. Jeff Hanlon.

Various amounts were stolen each time, but the total cumulative amount of money stolen was more than $2,000, said Hanlon. West Long Branch Police detectives Timothy Hanrahan and Kyle Szatkowski reviewed the gym's surveillance cameras and even set up a sting, where they placed a wallet full of cash in a locker.

"We caught him red handed," said Hanlon. "This should serve as a good reminder that if you're going to put money into a locker, put a lock on it. Or just don't bring your valuables to the gym."

Additional charges may follow, warned police.

If you think you may have had money stolen from the Retro Fitness, contact the West Long Branch Police Department Detective Bureau at 732-229-5000, extension 250 or 251, and ask for those detectives mentioned above.