Police ID Possible Suspect in Clayton Locker Break-ins

While police have identified a possible suspect in at , a lack of conclusive video evidence is posing a challenge, an official said Monday.

Police have matched break-in times with footage taken at the entrance of the men's locker room showing the person in question entering and exiting the faciilty, Lt. Tom Stockmann of the said.

"We're familiar with him and we recognize him coming and going," Stockmann said.

But it's illegal to put a camera inside a locker room, meaning police haven't caught a person on video in the act of breaking into a locker.

It's unclear whether some of the lockers have a flaw or have become fatigued over time, enabling the perpetrator to gain access to them, Stockmann said. Either way, the person police think is accessing them "has figured it out."

The police think it's possible the suspect has been eluding them and plans to come in for a meeting, accompanied by an attorney. But Stockmann doesn't expect the suspect would confess to the crimes if such a meeting were to happen.

Cash was taken during three locker break-ins that likely happened Aug. 9. Police also said they received a report of a break-in at the Center on Aug. 17. Such theft would be considered a felony if the perpetrator had taken more than $500, Stockmann said.

It's not the first time that things have been taken from lockers at the Center.

Several years ago, a victim wrapped a towel around a recording device and caught a perpetrator taking things from unlocked lockers at the Center, Stockmann said. But while the prosecuting attorney ultimately allowed the police to use the video as evidence, he said, the victim took the footage at great risk of legal repercussions.

Stockmann advised people who use the Center to reconsider what they store in their lockers and cars. He said several police employees use the center, and he said the department is concerned about the case.

He also advised people who use other St. Louis-area recreation facilities, such as , to stay alert.

"If the lockers are fatiguing in this fashion, I guarantee you he is not just going to get us," Stockmann said.