Four Charged With Theft From Vehicles Parked At Fitness Center

Falls Township police have arrested four people for allegedly breaking into vehicles in the Crunch Fitness parking lot.

The incidents happened last Tuesday shortly after 4 p.m. when police responded to the gym’s parking lot on Commerce Boulevard for the report of a theft from auto. A witness reported to police that he had seen a male and female breaking into a black SUV in the parking lot before walking towards Ashley Furniture and getting into a gray Nissan Rogue bearing a Florida license plate.

According to court documents, police were able to catch up to the vehicle near Lincoln Highway before initiating a car stop. Police note that an odor of marijuana was emanating from the vehicle and that in plain view, a plastic container of later confirmed marijuana was located inside the vehicle/

The vehicle was being operated by Anthony Juan Salas Tizon, 29, of Lauderhill, Florida. Three occupants of the vehicle were also detained, including Ada Rodriguez, 19, of North Providence, Rhode Island; Flavio Tizon, 24, of Providence, Rhode Island; and Natalie Vasquez, 30, of Flushing, New York.

The witness to the incident was brought to the scene by officers where they positively identified all of the subjects in question before police remanded the group to police headquarters.

A search of Salas Tizon at headquarters yielded two pieces of a car lock in his front right pockets. A large amount of cash was also found on his person, police said.

After speaking with the witness, police allege that Salas Tizon and Rodriguez walked up to a gray Honda CRV bearing a New Jersey license plate. Salas Tizon then allegedly jerked the door open and entered the vehicle while Rodriguez acted as a lookout. Police observed that the victim’s vehicle was missing its front driver’s side exterior lock, but that nothing had been taken from the vehicle, according to court papers.

Two other victims were later identified after they contacted police asserting that their vehicle was also broken into while in the Crunch Fitness lot. In both of those cases, the front driver’s side lock was also punched out. One victim stated nothing was taken, while the next victim told police a small amount of cash, as well as some gift cards, had been taken from his wallet.

Upon further investigation of the vehicle operated by Salas Tizon, a jacket matching the witness’ description was found, in addition to a ‘Husky’ brand tool shaped into a key.

The three occupants of the vehicle each face six misdemeanor charges, including possessing an instrument of crime, theft from a motor vehicle, criminal mischief, and possession of marijuana; while Salas Tizon faces 14 related charges as the alleged driver.

Salas Tizon posted 10 percent of his $200,000 bail on Tuesday, while the other three occupants each had bail set at 10 percent of $50,000. All three of their bail amount were reduced, Rodriguez to $0, Tizon to 10 percent of $10,000, and Vasquez to 10 percent of $2,000. All defendants have since posted and are out on bail.

Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.