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SANDY — A Sandy woman is pleading for help to recover her stolen wedding ring. It was taken Monday from a pad-locked locker while she was working out at the gym.
"I just want my ring back," Rebecca Cottam said, choking back her tears during an interview. "This isn't just a purse, this isn't just a phone - keep that stuff. This is my wedding ring."
Cottam said the ring and her other valuables were taken sometime between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Monday when she was working out at the Gold's Gym at 7990 South and 1300 East. Sandy Police said somebody likely used bolt cutters to cut through the lock.
The ring, Cottam said, featured a large diamond that belonged to her husband's grandmother.
"It means so much to me," Cottam said. "It's part of the family. I just want it back."
"Obviously we're concerned about it - we don't want any theft," said Gold's Gym vice president of operations Kirk Livingstone. "We don't like thieves."
Livingstone said the Sandy gym was working with detectives to review what surveillance video the facility does have - outside the locker room. He acknowledged the challenges of combating locker room theft.
Livingstone called on gym members to be vigilant and have valuables secured. If anybody or anything appears suspicious, he said members should immediately report the behavior to the front desk.
Sandy Police Sgt. Jon Arnold said theft from locker rooms is an inherent problem at all gym locker rooms, regardless of the location. He said people are better off locking valuables in the trunks of their cars, or leaving the valuables home.
Individuals with information are asked to contact Sandy Police at (801) 840-4000.
"If you just take these little steps, you save yourself heartache down the road," Arnold said. "When you do fall into those situations, it makes it easier."
In the hours after the heist, Cottam took to Facebook for help finding her ring. She had received over 1,000 "shares" by Tuesday evening.
Cottam said she was offering a reward for the safe return of the ring. She also said she would not press charges if the thief returns the ring.
Anybody who may have seen something at the Sandy Gold's Gym Monday night - or anybody who may have information on the whereabouts of the ring - is asked to call Sandy Police at (801) 840-4000.
