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Three in Custody for Vehicle Burglaries, Thefts from vehicles / and Fraudulent use of Credit Cards
By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, September 30th, 2013
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department Approximately five weeks ago, a victim had parked his vehicle in the parking lot of the 24 Hr. Fitness Gym and left the vehicle unlocked. The victim had left his wallet in the center console of the vehicle. Approximately two hours later the victim received a call from his bank regarding possible fraudulent activity. The victim checked his wallet and saw that two of his credit cards were missing. Within the two hour period over $5100.00 was charged to the victim’s credit cards. Approximately three weeks ago, a victim had parked her vehicle in the parking lot of the 24 Hr. Fitness Gym and possibly left the vehicle unlocked. The victim had left her purse in the rear cargo area of the vehicle. Approximately two hours later the victim returned and checked her email. The victim had received a message from American Express indicating an attempted purchase in the City of Thousand Oaks. The victim checked her purse and found several credit cards missing. After talking with her credit card companies the victim saw that the suspects had attempted to use her credit cards at multiple locations totaling over $5000.00. One of the locations the suspects attempted to use the stolen credit cards was the Apple store at the Oaks Mall. The suspects were captured on video surveillance inside the store. Today three suspects were captured in the City of Thousand Oaks after trying the door handles on several vehicles and then entering a vehicle which was parked in the parking lot of the 24 Hr. Fitness Gym on Thousand Oaks Boulevard. Detectives from both the City of Thousand Oaks Special Enforcement Unit and Investigations Bureau observed a suspicious vehicle driving through the parking lot of the 24 Hr. Fitness Gym. Detectives monitored the activities of the vehicle’s three occupants. The occupants were seen trying door handles to a few vehicles and then entering a vehicle. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle as it left the area. The suspects were taken into custody. The suspects matched the description of the suspects captured on video surveillance from three weeks ago. Investigators believe the same suspects are responsible for several other burglaries, thefts, and fraudulent use of credit cards that have occurred in Southern California recently. All three suspects were arrested on multiple charges of conspiracy, burglary, and fraudulent use of credit cards. The suspects were booked into the East County Jail with a bail of $100,000. Thefts from vehicles continue to be one of the highest reported crimes in the City. The Thousand Oaks Police Department would like to remind the community to lock their cars, and to avoid leaving items of value in their cars. Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for these types of crimes. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477). Nature of Incident: Three in Custody for Vehicle Burglaries, Thefts from vehicles / and Fraudulent use of Credit Cards |
