Woman charged in connection with San Ramon gym theft

A Pittsburg woman faces a dozen felony charges following her arrest on suspicion of stealing keys from a San Ramon gym patron and using the victim’s credit cards to go on a shopping spree in Walnut Creek, a police spokesman announced Wednesday afternoon.

Rebekka White, 34, remains in custody with bail set at $575,000 after prosecutors formally charged her with a 12-count felony complaint Tuesday, according to Walnut Creek police Lt. Lanny Edwards. It was not immediately clear whether White has entered pleas to the charges.

Police allege White is tied to theft incidents in Walnut Creek, Lafayette and South San Francisco.

The investigation began on Sept. 1 when an unidentified white woman was seen on surveillance footage after stealing a wallet from a women’s locker room at a Walnut Creek gym, according to Edwards, who said the culprit then used the victim’s credit cards at several businesses in Walnut Creek.

One of those transactions led police to identify the woman as also being responsible for a Lafayette car break-in where credit cards were taken, Edwards said.

But it wasn’t until the end of the month that investigators allegedly identified the woman in the surveillance footage as White.

Police allege White stole a set of keys from the women’s locker room at a San Ramon gym Sept. 29 and used the keys to steal the victim’s car containing a purse and credit cards, then drive the car to Walnut Creek and buy a $4,800 watch using one of the stolen credit cards.

Officers found White and the stolen vehicle in downtown Walnut Creek that evening and took her into custody, according to Edwards. After her arrest, police allegedly identified her as the woman in the Sept. 1 surveillance footage.

Investigators searched White’s home and found stolen property from a South San Francisco commercial burglary and other items that police think is likely from other theft victims, according to Edwards.

White, who remains in jail, faces counts including commercial burglary, grand theft auto, identity theft and possession of stolen property, according to Edwards.

The Walnut Creek lieutenant also urged people to take precautions to prevent potential thefts.

“Do not leave valuables in plain view in your vehicles. You are one broken window away from losing your property,” he said, later adding: “Crooks are targeting our gym parking lots for valuables left in cars and sneaking into the locker rooms for purses and wallets. Locking your valuables in the locker room is a must.”

Editor’s note: A previous version of this story misidentified the location of surveillance footage from the Sept. 1 incident. DanvilleSanRamon.com regrets the error.

Editor’s note: A previous version of this story misidentified the location of surveillance footage from the Sept. 1 incident. DanvilleSanRamon.com regrets the error.

Editor’s note: A previous version of this story misidentified the location of surveillance footage from the Sept. 1 incident. DanvilleSanRamon.com regrets the error.