A wallet left inside a parked car can give thieves more than access to cash. It can provide identification, payment cards, and enough time to begin spending before the owner finishes a workout.
Police in Northern Virginia say a suspected serial thief targeted unlocked vehicles outside fitness centers, taking wallets, credit cards, cash, and other personal belongings while gym members were inside.
The stolen cards were allegedly taken to nearby retailers and used to buy gift cards, sometimes before the victims returned to their vehicles or realized anything was missing.
The investigation has produced nearly 200 related charges across Fairfax County and Falls Church.
A Workout Created Time to Use the Stolen Cards
Detectives linked 29-year-old Kumneger Ayalsew, of Alexandria, to thefts from vehicles outside fitness centers dating to at least April 2026, according to the Fairfax County Police Department. The newest Fairfax County incidents were reported at fitness-center parking areas in Centreville, Reston, and McLean.
Police listed incidents on April 30 in the 5900 block of Trinity Parkway in Centreville, May 1 in the 1700 block of Business Center Drive in Reston, May 3 in the 8200 block of Greensboro Drive in McLean, June 22 in the 1700 block of Business Center Drive in Reston, and June 23 in the 5900 block of Trinity Parkway in Centreville.
After obtaining the cards, Ayalsew allegedly traveled to nearby retailers and used them for fraudulent gift-card purchases. Police said detectives connected the cases using surveillance footage, financial records, digital evidence, and search warrants.
Police Filed 32 New Fairfax County Charges
Fairfax County police said the latest investigation resulted in 32 new charges against Ayalsew. Those charges include nine counts of credit card larceny, nine counts of credit card fraud, four counts of vehicle trespassing, five counts of identity theft, two counts of petit larceny, two counts of money laundering, and one count of obtaining money by false pretenses.
Police said Ayalsew was located and arrested June 26 in Alexandria with assistance from the Alexandria Police Department and the Falls Church Police Department.
The new Fairfax County charges are only part of the broader case. Authorities said Ayalsew is facing nearly 200 related charges for similar crimes that previously occurred in Fairfax County and the City of Falls Church.
He Remained Held on Falls Church Charges
Fairfax County police said Ayalsew was released on his own recognizance on the Fairfax County charges on July 14. He remained held at the Arlington County Detention Center on charges filed by the Falls Church Police Department.
The available police release did not state the total number of victims, the total amount charged to stolen cards, or whether any purchased gift cards or stolen property had been recovered.
A Missing Wallet Requires Immediate Action
The Federal Trade Commission advises consumers to report a lost or stolen credit, ATM, or debit card immediately because liability protections can depend on the type of card and how quickly the loss is reported.
Anyone who returns from a workout and finds a wallet missing should lock or cancel the cards, call the card issuers, review pending transactions, and report unauthorized charges immediately. Consumers should continue reviewing their accounts after the card is canceled because earlier purchases may still appear.
Anyone with information about the Fairfax County investigation can contact the Criminal Investigation Division at 703-814-7000. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-8477, and Fairfax County police said anonymous tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $5,000.