Bee Staff
A woman known as the "gym bag bandit" has been sentenced to 6 years in prison, according to Jan Scully Sacramento County district attorney.
Angela Martinez, 34, had entered guilty pleas to several counts identity theft and fraud with a two-year enhancement for committing one of the crimes while out on bail, Scully said in a news release.
Martinez targeted 24 Hour Fitness customers, the release states.
Coined the "Gym Bag Bandit" by the Sacramento Police Department, Martinez used a stolen membership card to enter several 24 Hour Fitness centers throughout the county, the release states.
Scully said Martinez operated like this:
Once inside, she took bolt cutters from her gym bag, broke into lockers and stole personal items. She used the victims' identification and credit cards to commit further thefts.
Martinez was caught after a 24 Hour theft victim called one of the facilities to see if her stolen membership card had been used. The computer showed that the card had been scanned at that location minutes before her call.
The police were then able to locate and arrest Martinez.
Robert Martinez, who was the getaway driver for Angela Martinez, was previously convicted and sentenced to 32 months in state prison.
Deputy District Attorney Robert Clancey gave credit for the successful prosecution to "a multi-jurisdictional effort that will prevent citizens throughout the Sacramento region from becoming future victims."
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