Burglars smash car windows in gym parking lots

WESLEY CHAPEL (FOX 13) - Making time to get to the gym can be tough, but many who do say it's worth it for the benefits of exercise. Julie Callueng did no expect her workout to end with a pit in her stomach Wednesday, when she came out of the gym to discover her car window was smashed and her purse stolen.

"My purse was stolen, there was broken glass all over the inside of the car, on top of my baby's car seat," she said.

She's one of five members at Strive Athletic Club in Wesley Chapel to have their vehicles broken into. Unlike other burglary cases, each of victim's cars were locked. The thieves broke the windows to get in and take valuables.

"We want them to come here and feel relaxed. We want them to have an awesome time. We do that in the gym. It stinks for them to have that in the back of their mind," said head trainer  and manager, Matthew Sachs.

The thieves also hit vehicles at Strive Crossfit Aero in Lutz and the Land 'O Lakes Rec Center. Surveillance pictures taken from those locations appear to show a vehicle the suspects may have been driving. They all happened between 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

"They probably figured it's stay-at-home moms at these gyms, so definitely we were a target," said Callueng.

Deputies say this is a good reminder to lock your car and keep expensive items out of sight.

"The less items of value that are in your vehicle, the less likely they're going to enter your vehicle," said Pasco Co. detective Timothy Roy.

The car suspects may have been driving is a Toyota Camry, either brown or Champagne color. It was seen in the parking lot prior to the vehicles being found burglarized.

Anyone with information about the break-ins is asked to contact the Pasco Sheriff's Office at 727-847-8102.