Man Accused Of LA Fitness Robbery, Chicago Financial Crimes

NILES, IL — A man has been arrested in connection with a mid-June robbery at an LA Fitness, police announced Monday.

On June 14, Niles police responded to the locker room of a gym at 5701 West Touhy Avenue where a member said their wallet was taken from a locked locker. The person told police their credit cards had been used at a local store and gas station.

Using surveillance video, authorities said they found footage of 53-year-old Robert A. Bowen, of Chicago, illegally using the person's stolen credit cards. Bowen had used his own member card to enter the LA Fitness and was in the gym when the person said their wallet was taken, police said.

After distributing Bowen's image and information to local law enforcement agencies, Niles detectives learned the Chicago Police Department's Financial Crimes Unit suspected Bowen in other open cases.

After two months, NPD and CPD arrested Bowen at his Chicago home Tuesday. Niles police said Bowen admitted to the crimes after he had been read his Miranda rights.

He faces charges of burglary and aggravated identity theft of a person over 60 years old. He was also charged with five additional counts in Chicago police cases.