Police: Man stole credit cards, used them in adjacent stores

EAST BRUNSWICK — Police arrested a man who allegedly stole cash and credit cards from a locker at a local gym and then used the cards to purchase goods at nearby stores.

Police were called to the New York Sports Club in the Mid-State Mall on Route 18 at 2:45 p.m. March 4. A 36-year-old Helmetta man told officers that an unknown person had gained entry to his gym locker and removed cash, his driver’s license and several credit cards.

Police would learn that two Hispanic males had purchased guest passes for the health club, but left shortly after arriving.

As police were speaking with the victim, other officers responded to a report of suspicious credit card activity taking place at Best Buy, which is located in the same shopping center. Police learned that two Hispanic males entered the store and made purchases in excess of $850 using a credit card that belonged to the victim from New York Sports Club.

Patrolman Kevin Bolch located one of the suspects, Christian D. Gomez, 21, of Freemansburg, Pa., in the Mid-State Mall parking lot. When asked for identification, police said, the suspect identified himself as the victim of the theft at the health club. Police also allegedly found him to be in possession of more than $300 worth of merchandise from Sports Authority, also purchased using the victim’s credit card. Additional property belonging to the victim was also located on the suspect, police said.

Police arrested Gomez and charged him with credit card theft, fraudulent use of credit cards, conspiracy to commit theft and hindering apprehension. He was transported to the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center in North Brunswick with bail set at $25,000.

The second suspect was not located.