Zurich city police have arrested a 39-year-old Romanian man suspected of stealing a luxury watch worth more than CHF 10,000 from a locker at a fitness centre in Zurich’s District 2. Officers detained the man shortly after he left the facility and found the stolen watch on his wrist, according to the Zurich City Police Department.
Due to an increase in luxury watch thefts at fitness centers, the Zurich City Police conducted a targeted operation against break-ins from locker rooms.
The theft took place on Tuesday afternoon, 4 August 2026, at a fitness centre in Kreis 2. Police said the luxury watch was taken from a changing-room locker while the owner was using the gym.
The exact model of the watch has not been disclosed, but its value was estimated at more than CHF 10,000. Investigators have not released further details about how the locker was opened or whether other property was taken in the incident.
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Zurich Police Arrest Suspect After Luxury Watch Is Stolen
The arrest followed a targeted operation by Zurich City Police in response to a reported increase in luxury-watch thefts at fitness centres. Investigators detained the suspect shortly after he left the gym, police said.
At the time of his arrest, the man was allegedly wearing the stolen watch. Officers recovered the item and took the suspect to a police station for an initial interview. He was subsequently handed over to the competent public prosecutor’s office, which will decide on the next steps in the criminal proceedings.
Police are also examining whether the suspect may be linked to other thefts. No further arrests or confirmed connections to additional cases have been announced.
Luxury-Watch Theft Has Become A Recurring Issue In Zurich
The case comes amid concern over a series of luxury-watch thefts in fitness centres in Zurich. The city police have responded with targeted checks and investigative operations aimed at identifying suspects who enter changing rooms to target valuables left in lockers.
Luxury-watch theft has been a recurring issue in Zurich in recent years. The city police began recording watch thefts separately in August 2022 after observing an increase in such offences. Around 100 reports were recorded in 2023, with many incidents occurring in Districts 1 and 4.
Police have previously reported several different methods, including robberies in public places, distraction thefts and thefts from changing rooms. The high resale value of brands such as Rolex and other luxury manufacturers makes the watches attractive targets for organised and opportunistic thieves.
Zurich City Police are advising members of fitness centres to avoid taking expensive watches and jewellery to the gym whenever possible. If valuables must be brought along, they should be handed to the fitness centre’s reception or stored according to the facility’s security procedures.
Police also recommend remaining alert in changing rooms and reporting suspicious people or behaviour to gym staff or the police. Valuable jewellery and watches should be kept out of sight in public, while any suspected theft should be reported promptly.
The investigation remains ongoing.
