Aquatics Center staff working to warn clients about thefts,
security issues
Morgan Hill – Police surprised two alleged burglars early Tuesday morning inside the Morgan Hill Aquatics Center and later discovered mail allegedly stolen from Gilroy residents inside their vehicle.
Byron Specht, 44, of Morgan Hill, was arrested for alleged burglary, possession of burglary tools, violation of probation and possession of stolen property. Tennille Weiser, 31, of San Martin, was arrested for alleged burglary, possession of stolen property and violation of probation.
According to Morgan Hill police Sgt. David Swing a silent alarm sounded at the complex, and officers responded to the scene at 1:19am. Officer Jeff Brandon was the first to arrive, and he found Specht and Weiser inside the complex, said Swing.
Specht and Weiser had in their possession a large metal file they allegedly used to pry open a gate to enter the complex, Swing said. Inside a trash can on the property, officers found a homemade burglary tool that could be used to open vending machines.
As officers searched their vehicle, they found other burglary tools, plus mail belonging to a Gilroy resident.
“The mail came from one address; it was just general, outgoing mail,” Swing said. “We had the Gilroy Police Department contact the owner of the mail, and he had no idea it was gone, no one had permission to have his mail.”
Swing said that though theft of mail can be considered a federal crime, U.S. Postal inspectors do not typically get involved when it is a case of “just stealing from a mailbox,” unless there are multiple instances.
Swing said there did not seem to be a connection between the suspects and the Gilroy resident. The mail theft may have been a crime of opportunity, he said.
“An unlocked mailbox in a rural area, it’s an easier target,” he said.
Specht and Weiser, a male and female, are apparently a couple, Swing said. They were booked into Santa Clara County Jail.
The Aquatics Center has been the scene of some smaller crimes since it opened in 2004. Petty thefts and auto burglaries occasionally occur, crimes of opportunity, with suspects stealing purses, wallets, electronic equipment from the complex itself or from cars in the parking lot.
Morgan Hill resident John Dorrance has experienced firsthand the problem. On June 22, he and his 9-year-old son went for an afternoon swim at the facility. Dorrance said he forgot to bring his own lock for one of the lockers, so he bought one at the center and put his keys and wallet into one of the lockers and fastened it with the lock he bought.
As they were leaving, approximately 45 minutes later, Dorrance went to retrieve his wallet and keys and found someone had smashed the lock and stolen his wallet. He found his keys in a nearby locker.
His wallet was later found in the parking lot of the Ramada Inn, just down the street from the Aquatics Center. Dorrance said he believes the thieves go there to “sort through their loot,” because clothes and bathing suits were found at the same location.
Although Dorrance said he hasn’t gone back to the center since he was robbed, he said he thought he probably would later, but he wished the city or the center would take some action.
“What aggravated me was that there were no signs there telling you that you shouldn’t put your valuables there,” he said. “Or a giant sign telling people how much had been stolen to date. People think their belongings are going to be safe in a locked locker.”
Swing said if Aquatics Center visitors take certain precautions, it would lower the likelihood of these kinds of crimes occurring.
When visiting the facility, he said, put valuables such as purses, iPods and laptops in a secure and safe location such as the trunk of the car. Do not leave them in plain view, whether plain view means the passenger area of car or lying on a towel or chair or poolside.
Aquatics Center Manager Angela Papp said since Dorrance’s wallet was stolen, the center has purchased new locks and sold about 150 of them. Residents are welcome to bring their own locks, and the lockers are used for free. The locks cost $5.
Papp, who handled security for Raging Waters several years ago, said they have taken other steps to make the public aware of the problem. Signs have been placed at the entrances to both locker rooms, in the main area and on the door. Papp frequently walks around the facility telling people about the problem, advising them to lock valuables away in their vehicles or in the lockers, she said.
There have been six incidents of petty crimes at the center this year.
Marilyn Dubil covers education and law enforcement for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106 ext. 202 or at md****@mo*************.com.
