YMCA locker thief charged

A Whitby man is facing several charges after items were stolen from lockers at the Oshawa YMCA.

Police were called to the YMCA on William Street East just before 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 5. According to police, a male suspect was confronted by a witness who had seen him stealing from a locker in the men’s change room. The witness was also the victim of a theft a few days earlier on May 30, and recognized the suspect from the previous incident. The suspect had pushed his way past the witness and ran from the building before getting into a taxi headed north.

The taxi was later pulled over, leading to the suspect trying to escape, running through backyards before being arrested. Police say they recovered cash, credit cards and a gym ID that did not belong to the suspect.

A 40-year-old of Rossland Road East in Whitby has been charged with theft under $5,000, assault and failure to comply with a recognizance in connection with this incident. Police say more charges are anticipated.