Philadelphia Men Charged with Theft and Fraud in Lancaster County Fitness Center Robberies

Police – Accident – Death – Obituary News : Lancaster County Police Charge Two Philadelphia Men with Theft and Fraud

Lancaster County, PA – In a recent turn of events, police have charged two individuals from Philadelphia with theft, access device fraud, and other related offenses. Eric Dabney, 47, and Robert Holland, 54, have been accused of stealing belongings from lockers at fitness centers in and around the city of Lancaster. Additionally, the suspects allegedly used stolen credit cards to make fraudulent purchases.

The charges were filed against Dabney and Holland following extensive investigations conducted by both Lancaster City and Manheim Township police. The criminal complaints detail the alleged incidents and provide evidence against the accused individuals.

One of the incidents involved thefts from a L.A. Fitness facility on the 1300 block of Lititz Pike on June 28, according to the complaint filed by Manheim Township Police. The victim reported that their belongings were taken from a locker at the facility, and the stolen credit cards were subsequently used to make purchases totaling $611 from a Staples store in the same shopping center. The suspects also attempted to use the victim’s other cards at Marshalls and Walgreens, but these transactions were declined.

Surveillance footage obtained from L.A. Fitness revealed a suspect, later identified as Dabney, exiting a white van and entering the gym. The white van was then seen parking at the Staples where the fraudulent purchases were made, providing further evidence against the accused.

On June 30, a victim at a Planet Fitness on the 300 block of Carrera Drive reported a similar incident. Their belongings were stolen from a locker, and the stolen credit cards were used to make purchases totaling $6,479 from a nearby Jared’s jewelry store and additional buys at a Vitamin Shoppe. Another victim reported a theft from the same Planet Fitness on the same day, with their credit cards being used to make purchases totaling $402 from a Home Depot, $411 from a Weis Markets, and $400 from an Office Max at a shopping center on Fruitville Pike. However, an attempt to use the stolen card at a nearby Wawa was declined.

Video surveillance from Planet Fitness showed two men arriving in a white Ford Expedition, with one of them matching the description of the suspect involved in the L.A. Fitness theft two days prior.

Holland, on the other hand, is accused of committing similar acts at the Lancaster YMCA on June 30, according to Lancaster Police. A victim at the YMCA reported that their belongings were stolen from a locker, and their credit cards were used to make purchases totaling $1,639 from a JC Penney store, $1,399 from a Lens Crafters store, and $600 from a Victoria’s Secret store at the Park City Center on Harrisburg Pike on July 1.

Surveillance footage from the Lens Crafters store showed a suspect matching Holland’s description, accompanied by another man, entering the store from a white Ford Expedition, which is the same vehicle used by the suspects in the Manheim Township investigation.

After a thorough investigation, authorities were able to trace the Expedition to Lyndhurst, Ohio, where they apprehended the two suspects. One of the men taken into custody was identified as Dabney, while Holland was located in Lancaster County Prison, where he was already incarcerated for an alleged probation violation. Police confirmed that Holland’s physical appearance matched that of one of the suspects seen in the surveillance video from Lens Crafters.

The charges against Dabney and Holland highlight the importance of vigilance and security measures at fitness centers and other public spaces. Authorities urge individuals to remain cautious and take steps to protect their belongings, such as using secure lockers and keeping personal items out of sight..