Watch CBS News

Locker Room Thief Could Be Linked To Another Similar Crime

ARVADA, Colo. (CBS4)- Arvada police are asking for the public's help identifying a suspect in a burglary and vehicle theft at a recreation center. That same man could be responsible for a similar crime in Golden.

The incident in Arvada happened Wednesday night at the APEX Recreation Center where a member's wallet, cell phone, car keys and blue Toyota Prius were reported stolen. Authorities said the items were taken from a locker in the men's locker room and the thief used the keys to steal the car from the parking lot.

"He cut off a lock to a men's locker," APEX Manager Terry Goldwater told CBS4. "Clearly this was thought out and planned and not out of the ordinary for this particular individual."

Arvada
The locker room theft suspect at the APEX Recreation Center in Arvada (credit: Arvada Police)

The man believed responsible was seen on surveillance cameras around the same time of the alleged burglary. Goldwater said he tried to get into the rec center for free just minutes earlier.

"He tried telling one of our staff members at the front desk that he was a resident, but when he wouldn't provide his ID when she asked, he paid the fee to get in," Goldwater said.

ARVADA-GOLDEN THEFT
CBS4's Kelly Werthmann interviews APEX Manager Terry Goldwater (credit: CBS)

The suspect spent less than 10 minutes inside APEX, Goldwater told CBS4. When she looked closer at the security footage, she noticed something familiar.

"He was wearing the same jacket, the same hat, glasses, same pants, same shoes and same grey hoodie," Goldwater said.

She was referring to the surveillance video released by Golden Police for a similar crime that occurred Tuesday morning at the Golden Community Center. In that case, a man was seen leaving the men's locker room around the same time a person's wallet, keys and Volkswagen Jetta were reported stolen.

"Everything was the same except he had a backpack on this time," Goldwater said.

golden theft
The theft suspect at the Golden Community Center (credit: Golden Police)

Golden police have not named the man seen in the security footage a suspect, rather a "person of interest." A spokesperson for the department confirmed the stolen Jetta was found Friday morning in Westminster but they still have no suspect information.

Police in Arvada and Golden are asking for the public's help identifying the man seen in the surveillance videos.

Anyone with information in the Arvada case is asked to contact Detective Johnson at the Arvada Police Department, (720)898-6746. Those with tips or information in the Golden burglary are asked to contact Detective Eric Jones at (303)215-8863.

Kelly Werthmann joined the CBS4 team in 2012 as the morning reporter, covering national stories like the Aurora Theater Shooting and devastating Colorado wildfires. She now reports for CBS4 News at 10 and is always open to story ideas. Connect with her on Facebook or Twitter @KellyCBS4.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.