West Seattle Crime Watch: Silver Lexus RX taken after keys stolen from gym locker

We’ve published West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports before about gym-locker thefts. This one, reported by Linh, led to the theft of her car:

Be on the lookout for a silver 2007 Lexus RX. license #AOE7002, that was taken last night between 7 pm-9 pm at the gym [LA Fitness]. They got into my locker in the women’s locker room. Took my gym bag including my car keys inside. It was a nylon black North Face tote. I always carry it with me with my clothes. … Hopefully someone saw something last night in the parking garage or has any information. Thank you.

If you see the car, call 911.

28 Replies to "West Seattle Crime Watch: Silver Lexus RX taken after keys stolen from gym locker"

  • Lisa February 6, 2019 (9:37 am)

    I’d be curious to know which gym and if her locker was locked.I use a lock but I’ve been thinking about getting a more heavy duty lock if people are clipping locks.

    • WSB February 6, 2019 (9:39 am)

      Oh sorry! The gym was ID’d in the email subject line and I didn’t add it. LA Fitness. Adding.

    • Linh February 6, 2019 (10:29 am)

      I had a lock on my locker. it was the combo one

  • Jackie February 6, 2019 (9:46 am)

     Right, that was my first thought too! Was the locker locked?

  • Linh February 6, 2019 (9:58 am)

    I did lock it, I have OCD so I was repeating the locker number in my head and I was tuggin on the lock. It was rather busy as I was getting there but died down by the time I left which was between the time they stole my car. There was really nothing valuable in the car or the gym bag but a silver necklace with a Jade Buddha statue. 

  • Vinevin February 6, 2019 (10:55 am)

    I’m surprised it happened during very busy time and in women’s locker room. Was the lock cut?

  • susandennis February 6, 2019 (11:09 am)

    Almost two years ago now, my LOCKED (combo) locker in the LA Fitness women’s locker room was broken into and my purse with phone was stolen.  Thankfully, they missed the car keys.  An hour after I first got into the pool there, I made the discovery. By that time, my credit cards had already been used at Target.  This was at 8 in the morning on a weekday.I have never again used those lockers for critical storage.

  • Joe February 6, 2019 (11:19 am)

    I had credit cards stolen from a non WS gym recently. The lock appeared undisturbed. The gym suggested I get a key lock because there are videos online on how to solve a combo lock. 

  • Fred February 6, 2019 (12:08 pm)

    Just curious, but do they have security cameras (of the lobby)? Sorry this happened to you. 

    • Linh February 6, 2019 (1:34 pm)

      They do, they’re going over the footage now. Hopefully they can spot my car as well leaving the lot. 

  • ACG February 6, 2019 (12:37 pm)

    Linh, was your lock cut or had they managed to unlock it?  I always use a lock, but hadn’t thought about it getting cut or that someone can figure out your combo (thx Joe for that insight).  If it was cut, anyone have suggestions on brands of relatively strong locks which can’t be cut as easily?  Linh, I hope you get your car back soon!!

    • Linh February 6, 2019 (1:35 pm)

      I don’t know, they took the lock with them. I came back to a bare empty locker and ran instantly down stairs to look for my car..

      • ACG February 6, 2019 (1:41 pm)

        Ugh. I’m so sorry this happened to you. Hoping you’ll get your car back soon and that the thief/thieves can be caught!!

      • DownRiver February 7, 2019 (5:51 am)

        Being stranded at the gym after being robbed — I’m sorry this happened, Linh. I hope the staff was helpful and supportive. Appreciate that you shared this, will rethink what I take with me if I go there again.  Need to look for a steel discus lock as another recommended. Or maybe find a safer gym / pool.  Do locker rooms at other local pools have the same security issues?  

    • bolo February 6, 2019 (5:39 pm)

      For the common (Master?) combo padlocks they don’t have to cut them or guess the combination. They use a cut piece of a soda can as a shim to open the lock. Easily found on Youtube. Or at least it used to.

      • Mike February 6, 2019 (9:26 pm)

        Most cheap locks are easily bypassed.  It’s like almost every trailer hitch lock anyone seems to use, 3′ steel pipe and voila, you have yourself a $40k boat and trailer.

  • I totallyAgreeWithYou February 6, 2019 (2:15 pm)

    Steel discus locks can’t be cut or picked. They come in combo style and keyed.  Don’t know if the combo can be breached or if they fit the LA Fitness lockers. LA Fitness has had security issues all along. I would urge members to band together and demand they fix their security problem. 

    • Dhg February 7, 2019 (5:07 pm)

      If you look up “The Lock Picking Lawyer” on youtube, you’ll see that there are no safe locks but maybe some of the $50 locks are better at protecting you from the amateurs.    

  • HS February 6, 2019 (5:02 pm)

    I’m so sorry you were robbed Linh. I’ve resorted to carrying anything valuable with me while I workout. It’s a total pain and not helpful to your situation but maybe someone else reading this will be benefited.  

    • Linh February 7, 2019 (5:17 am)

      :( I just want my car back and keys back. I hate people that have to steal other peoples stuff. 

  • 1994 February 6, 2019 (10:02 pm)

    Maybe LA Fitness needs to pay for a locker room security attendant to keep an eye on the goings on in those locker rooms? LA Fitness seems to frequently have thieving creepers inside and outside. 

    • Linh February 7, 2019 (1:43 pm)

      Well there’s always an employee in there cleaning. I guess she doesn’t pay attention cus i remember her saying she was in the locker room the whole time. 

      • newnative February 7, 2019 (3:48 pm)

        I remember the last theft I read about, there was only the attendant in the locker room at the time of the theft as well. Seems fishy to me. My gym has people coming and going in the locker room and never has an attendant stationed there. I have never heard of a problem. 

    • Eugene February 7, 2019 (3:39 pm)

      This has been a problem with other gyms as well. 24 fitness….PacWest(long time ago)…sorry it happen.

  • steve February 7, 2019 (8:19 am)

    I was just wondering. Do you have to be a member(show membership) to gain access to this gym? Or can anyone walk in? Hopefully security camera can identify the member if he/she had to show a card to get in.  The Y requires you scan in, but I’ve seen others walk thru unchecked numerous times.

    • Linh February 7, 2019 (9:08 am)

      You have to have a membership/ show your ID to get in as a guest. Yeah i use to be a member at the Y before I switch and I never had a problem there with lockers. It apparently very common at LA for thief and that’s unfortunate as it’s suppose to be a Signature gym. I’ve been debating if I should remain there as a member.  I spoke to the manager last night and he couldn’t see from the camera my bag or car ever leaving the gym, which is so frustrating because what’s the point in having them there?

  • WiseWoman February 9, 2019 (12:49 am)

    Sounds like an inside job or a meth addict w/ lock pick set. Police should have requested video footage. Make the officers be accountable b4 footage is lost.

  • Linh February 18, 2019 (12:28 am)

    My car was found. Thank you. It was taken to the Grove in down the street from LA

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