FORT WORTH, Texas — A South African national was charged in federal court in Fort Worth with wire fraud and aggravated identity theft following a multi-agency investigation into a yearslong scheme involving thefts from gym patrons across Texas.
According to a federal criminal complaint filed Aug. 25, Craig George McLachlan is alleged to have used numerous aliases, including “Craig Pritchard,” “Jeffrey Moore,” and “Francis Castanho,” to carry out the offenses. U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould stated that McLachlan allegedly stalked gyms across North Texas for years, hunting for victims and hijacking their identities.
Raybould noted that the defendant’s long trail of aliases shows a deliberate attack on hard-working Americans.
The complaint alleges that McLachlan entered gyms, stole wallets and credit cards from unlocked lockers or unattended bags, and used those cards to make thousands of dollars in fraudulent purchases. Law enforcement agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations and police departments in Southlake, Coppell, Plano, and Grapevine, traced reports dating back to February 2018.
The alleged thefts occurred at locations such as YMCA, Texas Family Fitness, and Club 4 Fitness. The stolen cards were used to purchase electronics, groceries, and meals at retailers including Whole Foods, Best Buy, and Home Depot.
