CRIME

Bountiful Thieves Target Gym Parking Lots

Jan 31, 2019, 9:01 PM | Updated: Feb 1, 2019, 6:45 am

BOUNTIFUL, Utah – Surveillance video, taken outside a gym, near 500 south, and 100 west, shows two men exiting a van in the early morning hours. Both quickly can through the parking lot, with hoodies covering their heads, as police say they look through car windows for valuables.

“They’ll just take a quick peek in the cars to see if there’s anything of value, and then it’s a smash and grab,” Bountiful Sergeant Andrew Bryson said. “They’re pretty quick about it.”

Bryson says the department has seen a recent rise in auto thefts in parking lots that see short-term traffic, especially outside gyms, were people stop in for about 40 minutes to an hour at a time. Bryson says drivers need to do their part to make themselves less-likely targets.

“Don’t leave anything that you don’t want stolen in your vehicle, because they will smash your $300 window, to get your $10 pair of fake Oakleys,” Bryson said. “If you absolutely have to leave something in your vehicle, lock it in the trunk.”

A gym patron Thursday morning, Paula Parrish said the video was a bit upsetting to see.

Sgt. Bryson

“It’s just shocking, how brazen they are, and how quickly they go from car to car,” Parrish said. “I’ve had my car broken into, not at the gym, but another place, and had a lot of things stolen, so yeah, it’s kind of disturbing.”

In addition to looking for easy loot, Bryson says the thieves are also quick to spend other people’s money, through credit and debit cards.

“They’re hitting Wal Mart, they’re hitting the gas stations. They’re using that card before the person even realizes that it’s been stolen,” Bryson said. “I took a report from a victim a couple of weeks ago, who within about fifteen minutes of it being reported; $1,200 dollars was charged up.”

Bryson said no arrests have been made so far in these recent cases.

If you have information, contact Bountiful police at 801-298-6000.

KSL 5 TV Live

Crime

Man being taken on stretcher to an ambulance figures blurred...

Lauren Steinbrecher

West Jordan man trying ‘to be funny’ allegedly shot and killed best friend

Investigators believe a joke between friends turned into the shooting death of a West Jordan man. The fatal mistake is also turning into a message police hope every gun owner can hear.

11 hours ago

Police near 1300 East and Van Winkle searching for two suspects involved in a hit-and-runs In a Uta...

Lindsay Aerts

Accused in serial hit-and-run case in court, Utah Nepalese rally around most recent victim

The man accused in the case of four serial hit-and-runs in Utah made his first court appearance Wednesday.

14 hours ago

Handcuffs in a jail cell. (Ravell Call/Deseret News)...

Michael Houck

Teenager suspected of robbing a Roosevelt convenience store, shooting firearm

A 17-year-old boy is in police custody for allegedly holding a clerk at gunpoint and demanding cash in February.

16 hours ago

FILE - Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, walks from Marine One upon arrival at Fort McN...

Stefanie Dazio and Lindsay Whitehurst, Associated Press

Hunter Biden’s lawyers push California judge to toss out tax charges

Attorneys for Hunter Biden have asked a judge to toss out the tax case accusing him of a four-year scheme to avoid paying $1.4 million in taxes while living an extravagant lifestyle.

21 hours ago

iron prison bars...

Associated Press

Convicted sex offender who hacked jumbotron at Jacksonville Jaguars’ stadium gets 220 years

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — A convicted child molester has been sentenced to 220 years in federal prison for producing child sexual abuse material and hacking the jumbotron at the Jacksonville Jaguars stadium after the team learned he was a registered sex offender and fired him. A federal judge in Jacksonville sentenced 53-year-old Samuel Arthur Thompson, […]

1 day ago

(Taylorsville Police Department)...

Debbie Worthen

2 of 3 teens reportedly involved in killing of Taylorsville man charged as adults

Two of three teens involved in the shooting death of a 21-year-old Taylorsville man were charged as adults Tuesday.

1 day ago

Sponsored Articles

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Bountiful Thieves Target Gym Parking Lots