JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville police are asking for the public's help identifying two men suspected of stealing car keys from gym lockers, then locating the vehicles in parking lots.
Police said the men were involved in three auto thefts since April 4 at the following gyms:
Recommended Videos
- Youfit Health Club -- Blanding Blvd. at Wilson Blvd.
- Bailey's Gym -- Blanding Blvd. near 103rd St.
- Anytime Fitness -- Beach Blvd. at Huffman Blvd.
Police said the men are going into lockers and searching through belongings or distracting people while they're working out and going through their bags.
Once they locate keys, they beep the key fob in the parking lot until they find the car, police said.
Police released surveillance images of the two suspects.
They identified one of them as Jamari Brooks, who was previously arrested as a juvenile for a felony (pictured). He is currently wanted.
Police still need to identify the other suspect.
One of the auto theft victims was a Navy sailor, whose uniform was in his vehicle when it was stolen.
Gil Smith, News4Jax crime and safety analyst, said theft in gyms have been a problem for a long time.
"People (are) just walking into the locker rooms and just checking lockers when they may not have a combination or a key lock on the locker. Because some people just don’t put locks on their locker. And then see if they can find car keys or wallets and whatever they can find," Smith said.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said anyone who uses a locker at a gym should put a lock on it. Police said don't leave a bag laying around in the gym with keys in it.
Anyone with information on these thefts is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS.