AUBURN — A 36-year-old man has been arrested in connection with two separate theft incidents at local businesses in March, according to the Auburn Police Department.
Travis Ryan, of Clyde, N.Y., was charged Tuesday with multiple offenses related to a wallet theft at Planet Fitness and a purse theft at Walmart, both located on Grant Avenue.
Police said the first incident occurred on March 25 at approximately 2:20 p.m., when a victim reported their wallet stolen from a locker at Planet Fitness at 217 Grant Ave.
While police were speaking with the victim, the individual discovered someone was attempting to use their stolen credit card at the Auburn Walmart.
The victim was able to cancel the credit card before the purchase could be completed, according to police.
In a separate incident on March 28 at approximately 8:30 a.m., a woman reported her purse had been stolen from her shopping cart at Walmart at 297 Grant Ave.
Police said a male suspect distracted the victim before taking her purse, then attempted to flee but dropped the purse after the victim called for help.
Investigations by the Auburn Police Department identified Ryan as the suspect in both incidents.
Ryan has been charged with criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree and attempted identity theft in the third degree for the Planet Fitness incident.
For the Walmart incident, he faces a charge of grand larceny in the fourth degree.
Ryan was already incarcerated at Cayuga County Jail for an unrelated crime when he was arrested for these offenses, police said.
He was issued appearance tickets for the new charges.
