Cops: Route 88 Gym Owner Charged After Refusing to Close, Hiding Open Door After Warnings

Anytime Fitness, Point Pleasant, N.J. (Credit: Google Maps)

The owner of the Anytime Fitness location on Route 88 in Point Pleasant Borough has been charged with four counts of violating Gov. Phil Murphy’s orders to close all non-essential businesses after she refused to shut her doors – even after several warnings.

Janice Lauria, the owner of the gym, was charged Wednesday by Point Boro police detectives. According to a statement from the department, police received “numerous complaints from area residents” about the gym.

According to the statement, Lauria received “numerous” warnings, dating back to the beginning of March. On Tuesday, police on a compliance detail spotted people entering the gym through a side door. The statement also said the front windows of the gym had been covered with an opaque material that blocked the ability of those outside to see in. The people who were seen walking into the gym left after about an hour, police said.

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“Random people were approached as the exited the gym,” Capt. Robert Lokerson said. “These subjects admitted to working out in the gym, stating that the owner would open the side door for them.”

Lauria could face up to six months in jail and-or a $1,000 fine for each of the alleged violations.