Bellaire police have apprehended a suspect linked to a series of break-ins at a local gym dedicated to children with special needs. The individual, identified as Erick Garcia-Pena, was arrested following an attempted burglary at We Rock the Spectrum Gym on Ferris Street.
According to law enforcement, Garcia-Pena is believed to have connections to several previous burglaries at the same facility. The gym’s owner, Kyle Loyd, credited recently installed security measures for aiding in the suspect’s capture.
On Tuesday night, police received a call regarding a burglary in progress at the gym. Upon arrival, they observed damage to the back entrance, and surveillance footage revealed a man trying to breach the door. The incident took place around 8 p.m., with the suspect arriving on a bicycle.
Loyd mentioned that after installing a burglar bar and a Ring camera, his family received an alert on their phone about activity at the gym’s back door. Upon checking the app and seeing the break-in attempt, he promptly contacted 911.
“The officers arrived in approximately five minutes, but the suspect had already fled,” Loyd explained. However, police were able to track down and arrest Garcia-Pena shortly thereafter near Atwell.
Loyd expressed relief following the arrest, noting that the repeated break-ins had caused significant distress for his family, who feared the suspect might return. Investigators have also linked Garcia-Pena to earlier thefts at the gym, where small items such as cash and snacks had been stolen.
“This situation has been incredibly disheartening for us. Our gym is a small family-run business, and we strive to create a safe and joyful environment for kids. It should never be a target for criminal activity,” Loyd stated.
Garcia-Pena is facing charges of evading arrest and criminal mischief, with the possibility of additional charges pending as the investigation continues.
