BERKELEY TOWNSHIP, NJ – Police have arrested a Bayville man accused of stealing cash and personal belongings from lockers at the Retro Fitness gym on Route 9 following a month-long string of thefts that plagued the facility.
According to the Berkeley Township Police Department, officers responded to multiple reports in January and early February of items stolen from unsecured lockers inside the gym’s locker room. The thefts involved personal property such as cash and clothing taken while victims were exercising.
The pattern came to a head on February 6, when officers were dispatched to the gym for a report of an attempted theft in progress. Police said a gym member entered the locker room and caught a man rummaging through his duffel bag inside an open locker. Staff members immediately intervened and detained the individual until police arrived.
The suspect was identified as Mario Cruz-Hernandez, 30, of Bayville, who was taken into custody and transported to Berkeley Township Police Headquarters. Investigators later connected him to all prior thefts reported at the gym over the previous weeks. Several stolen items belonging to earlier victims were recovered and are being returned to their owners.
Police did not say whether the man had any outstanding immigration detainers. He is not currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail, according to records.
Cruz-Hernandez has been charged with one count of Criminal Attempt (Theft) related to the February 6 incident and four counts of Theft tied to earlier reports. He was released on a summons pending a future court date under New Jersey’s bail reform guidelines.
Police commend quick action by staff and officers
Berkeley Township Police credited gym employees and witnesses for their fast response, which led to the suspect’s capture. The department also recognized Sgt. Robert Flanagen, Ptl. Nicholas Bondulich, and Ptl. Anthony Tuminaro for their immediate actions at the scene, and Detectives Shane Leighton, Derek Mayer, and Jake Camaraza for their investigative work. Ocean County Sheriff’s Officer Vega assisted with translation during the arrest process.
Key takeaways
• Police say Mario Cruz-Hernandez, 30, stole cash and clothing from Retro Fitness lockers in Bayville.
• The suspect was caught in the act on February 6 after a gym member interrupted an attempted theft.
• Detectives linked him to four prior thefts and recovered stolen property for victims.
Authorities remind residents to secure personal items in locked storage when visiting gyms or public facilities.
