Thousand Oaks City Watch Alert - April 2, 2009

Here is the latest "City Watch" alert from Deputy Jim DeSoto of the Thousand Oaks Police Department. If you are interested in receiving these updates directly from him via email, click here for more information.

Crime Fighters,

Many people love their respective vehicle(s) as vehicles have always been associated with independence, adulthood, a sign of hard earned work and social status. In reviewing the recent crime activity in Thousand Oaks, some people apparently dislike what vehicles symbolize and represent.

In different areas of the city vehicles are being targeted for vandalism. I do not know whether the crimes were personal or random but the criminals are active. For instance, some vehicles had their tires slashed, a vehicle had a no parking sign thrown on it, side mirrors, windows, and door handles were destroyed and other vehicles had damage caused by various instruments.

In keeping with the theme of vehicles, someone out there might be putting a vehicle together at the expense of others. Vehicle parts are being stolen. All four tires were taken off one vehicle, a tailgate and taillights on another vehicle and hubcaps on another vehicle. These crimes are opportunistic and the best defense for these crimes, including thefts from vehicles, is an attentive offense. Ensure your neighbors and your residential community are looking out for each other, communicating with each other about crime and suspicious activities, and reducing the opportunity of crime by replacing burnt out light bulbs, trimming back over grown vegetation, having limits on tree canopy covers and shrubbery height, using locks and getting rid of shadowy areas are just a few of the things that can help target harden your property.

Someone attempted mass identity theft when this person pretended to be a local bank representative. Somehow, this suspect got the personal cellular telephone numbers of bank customers and sent an automated message stating the bank’s records indicating the customer’s credit/debit card was “blocked.” The automated message then asked the customer to supply their account number and PIN number. This was a fraudulent and highly sophisticated attempt to obtain personal account information. Fortunately, the bank was notified by concerned customers, the bank took immediate reactive steps and the clients that did give their credit/debit information did not have their accounts accessed. Be wary of deceptive techniques and unscrupulous people and always review your bank and credit card statements.

Our officers are seeing an increase in reported ‘attempt scams.’ These are the scams people receive in through the Internet, postal service and through telephone calls. Countless ways exist how people will try to defraud you. It takes minimal effort on part of the crook but it can be very profitable if the crook is able to deceive just a few people. I am pleased, however, that many more people are being suspicious and doubtful of these tricks and are reporting these incidents.

Lastly, I am always pleading to have people to call the Thousand Oaks Police Department (805-654-9511) to report suspicious activity, people and circumstances. A couple a days ago an observant resident called about a suspicious van that was not recognized as being from the residential neighborhood. The police investigated and contacted the person in the van. The person had an outstanding arrest warrant and was under the influence of drugs. In addition, the person had a large amount of stolen property in his vehicle. This sole telephone call helped detectives close out over 50 thefts from vehicles and burglary thefts. This is an awesome example how the residents and police department work together to prevent and solve crimes.

Maps of where thefts from vehicles and vehicle burglaries have happened since the beginning of this year are shown below. UPDATED 4/6/09 WITH DOS VIENTOS CRIME MAP BELOW

Take care,

Jim

Northern Portion of Thousand Oaks

Southern Portion of Thousand Oaks

Northwestern Portion of Thousand Oaks

Eastern Portion of Thousand Oaks

Western Portion of Thousand Oaks

Dos Vientos Portion of Thousand Oaks