Smash-and-grabs hitting vehicles in gym parking lots across Rochester

Rochester gyms hit by targeted burglaries

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(ABC 6 News) – A recent string of burglaries has been happening outside of Rochester gyms. It’s not the first time we’re seeing these targeted robberies.

The most recent break-in happen outside of Burn Boot Camp in the early hours of the morning just as people began working out on Tuesday.

—RELATED: Albert Lea teenager arrested Thursday morning for alleged car burglary

Four vehicles had windows broken, and items missing such as purses and credit cards.

“The best thing to do would be, number one, park in a well lit area with a lot of pedestrian traffic,” said officer Eric Christenson, with the Rochester Police Department. “Remove all of your valuables from your vehicle, get it out of sight and things as little as change, getting that out of the vehicle so thieves and everybody else doesn’t see it.”

—- RELATED: Police warn about car break-ins over Memorial Day weekend

Another tip law enforcement is passing along, keep a camera on your dashboard. Not all parking lots have video surveillance, and police say that’s the easiest way to catch suspects.

“Video evidence is huge in any kind of break-in, whether it’s a house or a vehicle to assist us in prosecution and even determining who the suspect is,” said Christenson.