Mackay Anytime Fitness gym equipment disappears days before being transported to new Townsville owners

When the removalist showed up to take the equipment to its new owner in Townsville, he was shocked to find the building ‘completely empty’.

More than 30 machines disappeared from a Mackay gym in less than 48 hours in a clean-out that has stumped the equipment owner.

The equipment was meant to be transported from Mackay Anytime Fitness to Townsville but when the removalist showed up, he found the building “completely empty”.

Townsville Anytime Fitness franchisee Troy Cooper said he had purchased the equipment from the landlord of the Mackay gym for $144,000 in June.

Mr Cooper said his team had dismantled the machines earlier to make it easier for the removalists to pack.

The picture was taken after the Townsville Anytime Fitness team had dismantled the machines for easy transport. Picture: Troy Cooper

Mr Cooper said he received a call on July 22 from his removalist, asking where all the gear was.

“The removalist told me ‘its empty, the whole building is completely empty’,” he said.

“I was absolutely gutted.”

Townsville Anytime Fitness staff members Kelly McKerrow and Darren Mitchell with franchisee Troy Cooper in front. Picture: Tony Raggatt

Mr Cooper said none of the equipment was insured and unless they got it back, they would be out of pocket about $144,000.

‘I was absolutely gutted’. Picture: Troy Darren

“We’ve done the right thing, we purchased the equipment and we did it through lawyers,” he said.

While police initially believed the facility was broken into between midday Tuesday, July 20, and 4.30pm Wednesday, July 21, Mr Cooper said he had received new information that indicated the incident may have started on Monday, July 19.

Mr Darren said more than 30 gym machines were taken including treadmills, cross trainers and ‘a whole lot of strength equipment’. Picture: Troy Cooper

“The information we have is that some workers in the city spotted a flat-tray truck and a forklift at the site on Monday night and Tuesday day,” Mr Cooper said.

“We think they’ve backed up the truck and taken panels off the roof and then rolled up the roller door from inside and loaded it back there.

“From the street it looked like any other day, it seems quite calculated.”

Mr Cooper is appealing for anyone with dashcam footage or businesses with CCTV to reach out.

He said they were hoping to access the CCTV footage from the courthouse but were waiting on police to assist.

Mackay Senior Constable Steve Smith said police were investigating the incident.

“Entry may have taken place through the ceiling,” Constable Smith said.

“Damage has been caused inside of the building to several doors and also a wall.”

He said police are urging anyone with information to contact Policelink or report it anonymously via Crime Stoppers.

Originally published as Mackay Anytime Fitness gym equipment disappears days before being transported to new Townsville owners