Police Seek Thief who Swiped Cards During Gym Tour Ruse

MIDDLETOWN,RI—MIddletown police are attempting to identify a man who allegedly stole credit cards from the locker room at Newport Athletic Club before going on a shopping spree across Aquidneck Island.

Police said the suspect posed as a potential customer on Dec. 30 at around 11 a.m. and was given a tour of the gym. During the tour, he went into a locker room by himself, police said. He then said a short time later that he changed his mind, didn’t want a membership, and left.

About an hour later, a member of the gym called police to report that several of his credit cards were missing from his locker. The stolen cards were used at Walgreens, Rite-Aid and CVS in Middletown within minutes after the suspect left the building, police said.

The cards were then used at the Walmart in Newport and the CVS in Portsmouth, police said.

Police said the suspect gave a false name of Ricky Miller and a false address of 304 N. Main St., Newport. He is described as a white man between 25- and 35-years-old, heavyset, standing about six feet tall.

Portsmouth police is working with Middletown police to investigate and authorities in Dartmouth, Mass., reportedly had a similar incident with a suspect matching the description.

Police released images of the suspect and ask that if anyone has information to call 401-846-1144 ext. 7034. Det. Geoffrey Dellefratte is handling the investigation.