Plano Identifies Gym Locker Theft Suspect

Investigators say Plano man could also be responsible for similar break-ins at gyms, businesses in Irving

A man Plano police say is linked to at least seven gym locker thefts could be connected to similar crimes in Irving, authorities say.

Plano police have issued an arrest warrant for Lonnie Roy III, 46, of Plano, in connection to a string of break-ins of locked gym lockers inside at least four gyms.

"He's strictly opportunistic," police spokesman David Tilley said. "He's taking advantage of people that are actually working out at these fitness facilities."

Police said Roy enters the locker room area of a gym and either cuts off or picks the locks on lockers and steals people's valuables.

Investigators say they believe Roy may be the same man Irving police are searching for in connection to several thefts at gyms and inside office buildings in that city. In several of those cases, the man has posed as an air-conditioning system repair man to gain entry to the businesses, police said.

Police in Plano said Roy has used an A/C repairman ploy during one of the thefts they are investigating.

Robberies have happened at Tom Muehlenbeck Recreation Center in the 5800 block of West Parker Road, L.A. Fitness in the 6100 block of K Avenue, 24 Hour Fitness in the 4600 block of West Park Boulevard and Lifetime Fitness in the 7100 block of Preston Road.

During one of the thefts, Roy confronted and threatened a victim who interrupted the incident, police said.

"If he's willing to make those threats, we don't know how far he's willing to go," Tilley said. "And that's something that does concern us very much, and that's why we want to get him off the streets."

Fliers showing Roy's face and surveillance images of him are on display at each of the Plano gyms he is suspected of burglarizing in an effort to warn employees.

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