The Statesboro Police Department and Statesboro fire Department are investigating an arson and related repeat break-ins at a local gym, and the owner, Statesboro City Councilman Will Britt, has decided to close the business.
Britt said Monday he has “no idea at all” why someone has broken into Flex Fitness on Chandler Road three times, once setting the office on fire.
The office was destroyed, and Flex Fitness is closed for good, he said.
Statesboro Police Chief Stan York said officers responded Nov. 22, along with firefighters, to a fire at the gym. “After the fire was extinguished, evidence collected at the scene suggested arson as well as burglary were the motivating factors.”
Someone broke into the gym again Thursday, and yet again Friday, he said. “Nothing was taken and no one was injured during the commission of either crimes.”
But they could have been, Britt said.
An electromagnet locking system that prevents people from holding the door open could have trapped someone inside if they had panicked during the fire, he said.
The lock will reset after 30 seconds to a minute, but if someone tried opening it before it reset, it would not open, he said. If the culprit who set the fire, or someone else inside, had become frightened and tried to force the door open before the lock reset, they could have been trapped, he said.
Britt said he did not know who or why anyone would have committed the crimes.
“It’s weird,” he said. “We don’t know the purpose in it. It’s almost like they’re looking for something. Then, to burn the office — for what? I don’t have any ideas.”
Statesboro Fire Department Capt. Emerson Melton said Monday the fire was definitely arson, and said “it is still under investigation by the Statesboro Police and Statesboro Fire departments.”
Anyone with information regarding the incidents is asked to contact Statesboro Police Capt. Scott Brunson at (912) 212-2301. All calls will remain confidential, he said.
Britt said Monday he has “no idea at all” why someone has broken into Flex Fitness on Chandler Road three times, once setting the office on fire.
The office was destroyed, and Flex Fitness is closed for good, he said.
Statesboro Police Chief Stan York said officers responded Nov. 22, along with firefighters, to a fire at the gym. “After the fire was extinguished, evidence collected at the scene suggested arson as well as burglary were the motivating factors.”
Someone broke into the gym again Thursday, and yet again Friday, he said. “Nothing was taken and no one was injured during the commission of either crimes.”
But they could have been, Britt said.
An electromagnet locking system that prevents people from holding the door open could have trapped someone inside if they had panicked during the fire, he said.
The lock will reset after 30 seconds to a minute, but if someone tried opening it before it reset, it would not open, he said. If the culprit who set the fire, or someone else inside, had become frightened and tried to force the door open before the lock reset, they could have been trapped, he said.
Britt said he did not know who or why anyone would have committed the crimes.
“It’s weird,” he said. “We don’t know the purpose in it. It’s almost like they’re looking for something. Then, to burn the office — for what? I don’t have any ideas.”
Statesboro Fire Department Capt. Emerson Melton said Monday the fire was definitely arson, and said “it is still under investigation by the Statesboro Police and Statesboro Fire departments.”
Anyone with information regarding the incidents is asked to contact Statesboro Police Capt. Scott Brunson at (912) 212-2301. All calls will remain confidential, he said.