STILLWATER, OKLA (KFOR) — Police often remind the public to not keep valuables in your cars, especially not in plain sight. In Stillwater Monday morning, multiple gyms were targeted by car burglars and police are sending out another reminder to keep your doors locked with no valuables inside.
Stillwater Police said since January there have been 157 car break ins. 51 of those involved a car's window being busted out.
"They're smashing windows and grabbing and leaving," said Lt. TJ Low, Stillwater Police Department.
The latest string of car burglaries happened while several gyms were in their first class of the day.
Police got a call about one break-in, but soon learned that wasn't the only one.
"While they were on scene there, another victim called in to report that their vehicle was also broken into at a separate gym. And we also had a third gym in the area that was there," said Lt. Low.
Police said six cars were hit, and they're unsure who's responsible.
Step4ward Fitness was one of the gyms hit and the owner said this isn't the first time they've been a target.
"It was last September of 2023, about the same time frame, five, a little after 5 a.m. To about 5:30. They just came in the parking lot while we were in here working out," said Shelley Glasson, owner of Step4ward Fitness.
This time, only one car was hit in Glasson's parking lot, but several cars at Orange Theory and Red Dirt CrossFit were also impacted.
The latest string is causing Glasson to wonder how to catch suspected burglars.
"When I think of orange theory, it happening at other places as well...they're in town in strip malls and it's happening to them, I don't know if cameras would help," said Glasson.
Stillwater Police are now sending a reminder to the public to be cautious and rememebr to hide electronics and purses, don't leave guns in the car, and park in a well-lit area.
"I mean, it's not up to you to hope that your gym, your place that you're going to work at, has lights, but you might bring that to the gym owner's attention or even the business owner or even your employer," said Glasson.
As the investigation continues, police said Stillwater isn't necessarily the only target and it's a good reminder for everyone to not be complacent when it comes to valuables in your car.
