Cops: Man caught burglarizing gym

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin police caught a man allegedly burglarizing an apartment complex fitness center in south Austin on Nov. 18.

James Bradford, 22, was located by officers responding to the burglary at the South Park Meadows Complex fitness center, located at 10001 South First St., around 1:30 a.m.

APD officers arrived at the gate of the apartment complex within five minutes of the alarm ringing. While entering the gate, a green Camero driven by Bradford was seen exiting. Officers said the driver appeared startled to see the officers driving up. While one officer continued into the apartments, a second officer turned around to follow a suspicious vehicle which was attempting to leave the scene quickly.

The officer had to speed to catch up to the vehicle several blocks down and conducted a traffic stop. The vehicle eventually came to a stop at the Chevron gas station at South First and Slaughter Lane.

Officers learned that a plasma television was stolen from the fitness center, which they found in the bed of a truck that the Camero was by, while out of the sight of officers. Witnesses also described the vehicle seen driving from the scene as a green Pontiac, which is similar to a Camero.

Police learned that Bradford and the second suspect used a claw hammer to open the door to the fitness center.