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2 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW First wolf pack in decades spotted in Northern California ... Crescent fire near Diamond Lake grows by 1,000 acres ... Our View: Farewell to two prominent personalities ... First wolf pack in decades spotted in Northern California ... Crescent fire near Diamond Lake grows by 1,000 acres ... Our View: Farewell to two prominent personalities ... THEFT Thieves targeting Medford fitness clubs Suspects taking credit cards from wallets, purses Medford police are warning fitness enthusiasts about an apparent group of thieves stealing credit cards from wallets and purses left in cars parked at fitness clubs. Comment By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 7, 2015 at 4:10 PM Updated Aug 7, 2015 at 4:27 PM By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 7, 2015 at 4:10 PM Updated Aug 7, 2015 at 4:27 PM » Social News While people are lifting weights and sweating on treadmills, a crew of traveling thieves has been prowling through cars in fitness club parking lots in Medford and other Oregon cities and stealing credit cards from purses and wallets. In a Friday warning on the Medford police Facebook page, police posted photos taken from surveillance videos of at least four people — two men and two women — they believe are involved. Police said at least four thefts can be tied to the group in Medford since May 2014, with the most recent on Sunday, Aug. 2. In typical thefts from vehicles, thieves steal entire purses and wallets, take the contents they want and throw away the rest. These thieves have been careful to leave the purses and wallets behind — and even bypass cash inside, said Medford Police Department Lt. Mike Budreau. "These suspects are unique. They're being very careful to show no signs of a vehicle break-in," he said. "If they forced entry, the owner will notice. They're foregoing the cash and whole wallet and purse and only taking what they want." By the time victims notice their credit cards have been stolen, the thieves have racked up thousands of dollars in charges. Police believe the same group has used stolen cards to buy more than $30,000 worth of merchandise from stores that include Best Buy, Walgreens, Target, REI, Pier One Imports, Lowe's Home Improvement, Sports Authority and Toys "R" Us. They likely are returning the merchandise later for cash or keeping some of the possessions for themselves, Budreau said. In the photos posted by police on Facebook, the suspects are dressed in fitness clothing, often sporting Nike hats and T-shirts. "They are dressed nicely. They present nicely," Budreau said. "They don't appear to be drug users, so they're not getting the scrutiny." Police have identified at least five separate individuals from the surveillance footage. The thefts usually take place in broad daylight while the victims are working out, he said. The thefts occurred even though the victims typically left their wallets and purses tucked out of sight under vehicle seats. At least one victim insists he left his vehicle locked, Budreau said. Thieves more commonly enter unlocked vehicles or break into locked vehicles when they see valuables left in sight, Budreau said. Superior Athletic Club at 727 Cardley Ave. in Medford appears to be the thieves' favorite local target, with three of the thefts occurring there, police said. In the fourth case, the victim was not sure where his credit cards had been stolen. He had put his wallet under his seat and didn't realize the cards were gone until he received a phone call about suspicious charges, Budreau said. Thieves using similar techniques have also hit clubs in Salem and Keizer, leading police to believe the suspects are working as a traveling crew. Although workout enthusiasts may fear having their wallets or purses stolen inside fitness clubs, Budreau said using a locked locker is a better choice than leaving valuables behind in vehicles, even if they are out of sight. Superior Athletic Club confirmed it does have lockers available for use at its Medford location. To view photos of the suspected thieves, see the Medford police Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Medford-Police/137789306428324 Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or [email protected] . Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous . By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 7, 2015 at 4:10 PM Updated Aug 7, 2015 at 4:27 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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