One day after a break-in at Pennant CrossFit, Southborough police traced a suspect to his home in Danvers, Mass., where he confessed to taking fitness equipment from the business on June 5 and from several other area gyms on other occasions.
In an official statement on June 9, police chief Kenneth Paulhus named James Rooney, 39, in connection with the thefts of multiple Concept 2 Rower machines — worth approximately $900 a piece — from fitness facilities in Southborough, Sudbury and Watertown.
Rooney was summoned to the Westboro District Court, where he was charged with two counts felony breaking and entering in the nighttime and two counts larceny from the Southborough CrossFit location. He was released Friday without bail.
Surveillance footage from Pennant CrossFit showed a man removing the rowing machine through the front door at 3:47 a.m. Monday morning, according to telegram.com.
Court documents show that Rooney worked for a company that makes food deliveries to area gyms, which provided him with access to the facilities.
“I asked him how he got into the business and he said, ‘A key in the front door,’ ” wrote Lt. Sean James of Southborough police. “I asked Rooney how he obtained the key to Pennant CrossFit. He said, ‘The keys are hanging up on a wall at work.’ He said he would remove the key, commit the theft and replace the key without (his boss) knowing.”
During the proceedings, Rooney admitted to selling the machines on Craigslist for approximately $600 each. Police are in the process of recovering the stolen machines.
Rooney is expected to face similar charges from Sudbury and Watertown police departments. He is due to reappear in court on August third.
