What started out as a typical day of exercise at Erie Fitness Academy, quickly took a dramatic turn.

"To have this happen right outside our doors, is pretty unnerving," said Erie Fitness Academy President DJ Myers. "It's usually pretty safe."

On Thursday morning, security cameras captured a white Jeep Cherokee pull into the gym's parking lot off of Edinboro Road.

In the video, you see a man get out of the SUV, and he begins checking out the other vehicles in the parking lot.

Moments later, the Jeep pulls up behind a Honda. The man then gets out again, smashes its window and snatches a purse.

The man then jumps back in the Jeep, and flees the scene with a getaway driver. It's a situation, the gym has never experienced.

"We have a very communal gym," said Erie Fitness Academy Head Coach Giordano Nunemaker. "Everybody knows each other. Everybody helps each other out. We have people who are always taking care of each other, so to have something like that here, it's kind of like a violating feeling and very irritating to say the least."

It's one of at least three gyms targeted by thieves on Thursday morning. Four vehicles were also burglarized at Fit Plus, off of Asbury Road.

"It's very startling and frustrating," said Fit Plus Owner Jack Sullivan. "Things like that happen, especially around this time of the season, but to have it happen at not just one, but three other gyms around town at the same time, clearly this was orchestrated."

Two members of Fitness U in Millcreek, also had their cars broken into.

"These types of things don't happen in the heart of Millcreek very often, and it's just discouraging that it happened now," said Fitness U Vice President Matt Pribonic. "We were shocked because it's such a rare occurance."

As investigators attempt to track down the suspects, each gym owner is urging their members to take precautions.

"It's important for everyone out there whether you go to a gym, a facility, a church, mall, anything like that, just don't leave anything in your car," said Sullivan. "It's not worth it. The days of leaving stuff in your car are unfortunatly passed us."

"If you can protect yourself and be aware of what your surroundings are," said Myers. "You never know what's going to happen or whose out there looking to get a quick come up."
Meanwhile, all three gyms are hoping for a similar outcome.

"I want them to get caught," said Nunemaker. "They decided that they wanted to take somebody elses stuff. I find that very irritating and disrespectful. Personally, go out and get a job."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Millcreek Police at (814) 833-7777 or anonymously online.