Police are warning residents to protect themselves from a spate of locker room thefts that have occurred at rec centers in Durango, Ignacio and Farmington.

The thefts started in early July in the men’s locker room at the Durango Community Recreation Center, said Lt. Jacob Dunlop of the Durango Police Department.

Fewer than six thefts were reported in Durango before Jacob Flores, 24, was arrested in late September in connection with some of the thefts, Dunlop said.

Flores of Durango is suspected of bypassing padlocks on lockers, stealing valuables and using credit cards to purchase gift cards at Walmart and Walgreens, Dunlop said.

Similar activity has been reported in Ignacio and Farmington, he said.

Dunlop recommends residents avoid bringing valuables into locker rooms, leaving them at home or in cars, if possible.

Anyone who is a victim of a locker room theft is asked to call Detective Chris Thomson at 375-4732. Anyone with information about people committing these crimes can call CrimeStoppers at 247-1112.

shane@durangoherald.com