Man pleads not guilty in string of burglaries at gym lockers across O.C.
A man pleaded not guilty Friday to seven felonies, including burglary and identity theft, related to a string of locker break-ins at gyms across Orange County and Corona, court records show.
Todd Neubauer, 29, of Fullerton was arrested Wednesday in Fullerton while in possession of bolt cutters, a lock picking set and stolen property, according to the Fountain Valley Police Department, which made the arrest.
A 24 Hour Fitness on Brookhurst Street in Fountain Valley was burglarized Nov. 26, initiating the investigation, police said. Among the property stolen was a credit card that was later used to make fraudulent purchases, according to police and prosecutors.
Gyms in Huntington Beach, Cypress, Orange, Anaheim and Corona also were hit. Investigators are looking into at least 10 incidents they suspect are connected, said Fountain Valley Police Department spokesman Kham Vang.
In the series of burglaries, someone cut the locks off lockers at 24 Hour Fitness and Crunch gyms, stole property from the lockers and used credit cards obtained through the thefts, police said.
Neubauer was charged Friday with a total of 11 felony and misdemeanor counts in connection with incidents that occurred Nov. 26 and Dec. 26, as well as a felony enhancement allegation of committing a secondary offense while out on bail.
He previously was charged Oct. 25 with similar counts in connection with incidents that occurred July 23.
Neubauer, who is being held at the Theo Lacy jail in Orange, is scheduled to return to court Jan. 14.
UPDATES:
This article was originally published at 11 a.m. and was later updated with additional information.
