Man Allegedly Strips Naked At Planet Fitness, Tells Cops He Thought It Was A 'Judgment Free Zone'
Eric Stagno, 34, was doing yoga poses completely nude and in full view of other people at a Planet Fitness in Plaistow, police said.
A man stripped down to his birthday suit to work out at a Planet Fitness and was apparently surprised when he got in trouble, police said.
Eric Stagno, 34, from Haverhill, Massachusetts, was arrested on Sunday at a gym in Plaistow, New Hampshire, according to the New Hampshire Union Leader. When he was taken away, he was confused because he thought Planet Fitness was supposed to be a "judgement free zone," police said, echoing the fitness chain's slogan.
Plaistow police were called to the gym around 1:30 p.m. in response to a call about a naked guy exercising.
“The story we got from witnesses was that the guy walked in, stripped down right there in front, left the clothes and belongings at the front desk, walked back and forth across the gym a couple of times and then settled in over at the yoga mats,” Capt. Brett Morgan told the New Hampshire Union Leader.
When officers arrived, Stagno was allegedly doing yoga poses fully nude. Several other people at the gym were understandably a little freaked out.
"Well I just moved out here, so this is a 'Live Free or Die' state, so anything's free," gym member Doug Wilson told WMUR-TV in Manchester.
Another person questioned Stagno's state of mind.
"To me, it's like, 'What did you smoke before you came to the gym?'" gym member Kat Lancaster told the station. "No, I don't think you should be at the gym naked."
Other people gave statements to police and expressed that they felt “uncomfortable,” “disgusted,” “sick” and “unsafe,” Morgan said.
Stagno was not a member of that particular Planet Fitness, Morgan said, and he didn't know if he was a member at a different location.
Stagno was approached by police, put his hands behind his head, and was arrested without incident, Morgan said. Paramedics were called and evaluated Stagno but didn't administer any further treatment. He was charged with indecent exposure, lewdness and disorderly conduct.
Stagno was released from jail on a $1,000 personal recognizance bail, the New Hampshire Union Leader reported. He's due back in court on Sept. 21.
[Photo: Plaistow Police Department]