A Central Islip man allegedly hid in the room while a woman used a tanning bed at a Nassau gym, and then attempted to steal her belongings.
Police say the suspect, 30-year-old William Neal, had previously been banned from Xsport Fitness in Massapequa. But they say he returned to the gym anyway back on June 18 and used a fake name to get inside.
According to investigators, Neal entered a tanning room and hid behind the equipment. When a 52-year-old woman entered the room and got into the tanning bed, police say he attempted to remove her personal property.
The victim confronted Neal, and he allegedly pushed her down. The woman sustained a large contusion and "substantial pain" to her arm, according to police. Neal then fled the building.
He was arrested early this morning at another gym, the Planet Fitness on South Broadway in Hicksville. He was placed under arrest without incident.
Neal is being charged with assault, burglary, petit larceny and criminal trespass.