Thieves Steal Expensive Fitness Equipment from Miami Gym Before Opening Day

Surveillance footage captures two suspects breaking into Gracie Lab, a new jiu-jitsu, yoga, and Pilates studio, and making off with costly equipment.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A pair of thieves broke into Gracie Lab, a soon-to-open fitness center in Miami, and stole expensive solar and red-light yoga equipment just days before the gym's grand opening. Surveillance cameras captured the suspects, a man and a woman, entering the property, with the woman acting as a lookout. The owners of Gracie Lab, including world-renowned jiu-jitsu trainer Igor Gracie, are devastated by the theft but remain determined to open their new state-of-the-art facility.

Why it matters

The break-in at Gracie Lab highlights the challenges small businesses can face, especially in the lead-up to their grand openings. The theft of specialized and costly fitness equipment could significantly impact the gym's ability to open on time and provide the services they had planned. The incident also raises concerns about crime and security in the Miami area.

The details

Surveillance footage shows a man entering the Gracie Lab facility, picking up boxes of expensive equipment, and calmly walking out. A woman is also captured on camera acting as a lookout for her crime partner. The owners believe the thieves entered the property through a fence located on Biscayne Boulevard. The break-in occurred on two consecutive nights, Wednesday and Thursday, just days before the gym was set to open its doors.

  • The break-in occurred on Wednesday and Thursday, just days before Gracie Lab was scheduled to open.
  • The gym's owners discovered the theft when they checked the security cameras on Thursday evening.

The players

Igor Gracie

A world-famous jiu-jitsu trainer and one of the owners of Gracie Lab.

Alexander Kaushansky

A business partner of Gracie Lab.

Thiago Pereira

A partner at Gracie Lab.

Miami Police

The law enforcement agency investigating the break-in and theft at Gracie Lab.

Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers

The organization offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of the suspects.

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What they’re saying

“We got robbed. We checked the cameras. He broke into the yoga studio.”

— Igor Gracie, World-famous jiu-jitsu trainer and Gracie Lab owner (WSVN)

“Very disheartening.”

— Alexander Kaushansky, Gracie Lab business partner (WSVN)

“Pretty crazy.”

— Alexander Kaushansky, Gracie Lab business partner (WSVN)

“I feel sad, you know, because this is where people are supposed to be safe.”

— Thiago Pereira, Partner at Gracie Lab (WSVN)

“We'll find this guy.”

— Igor Gracie, World-famous jiu-jitsu trainer and Gracie Lab owner (WSVN)

What’s next

The owners of Gracie Lab say they have informed Miami Police about the break-in and theft, and they are hopeful the suspects will be identified and apprehended. The judge will also decide on Tuesday whether to allow the suspects to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the challenges small businesses can face, especially when they are on the cusp of opening their doors. The brazen theft of specialized and costly equipment could significantly impact Gracie Lab's ability to open as planned and provide the services they had envisioned. However, the owners remain determined to overcome this setback and open their new state-of-the-art fitness center, showcasing the resilience of small business owners in the face of adversity.