Woman arrested in health-club thefts

Darleene Barrientos

A second suspect who police believe was also committing thefts at a

24 Hour Fitness has been arrested.

Amy Darlene Casillas, 20, was arrested on suspicion of burglary,

possession of stolen property and grand theft Tuesday at her Glendale

home, Glendale Police spokeswoman Officer Leticia Chang said.

Several reports of theft at 24 Hour Fitness, 240 N. Brand Blvd.,

caught the attention of Glendale Police investigators, who arrested

North Hollywood resident Aaron Bitton, 52, in April on suspicion of

stealing from the men’s locker room. Casillas’ arrest and Bitton’s

arrest were unrelated, Chang said.

Investigators became aware of Casillas, who was a member of the

club, after workers found four stolen bags in a locker she was

using, according to reports.

A search of her Lincoln Navigator turned up four cellular phones,

which officers used to contact the owners, reports said.

The owners of the phones told officers they had their belongings

stolen while they worked out at the center, police said.

A search warrant was also served on her home in the 200 block of

North Chevy Chase Drive, reports said. A search of her room revealed

a purse under her bed containing several pieces of identification

belonging to other women, credit cards and about five cell phones,

reports said.

Casillas was being held on $20,000 bail, Chang said.