Thousand Oaks City Watch Alert - January 21, 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,

A lot has been happening in your city the past few weeks and it is important that we all have the knowledge of the activity so we can work together and not only prevent crime but catch the miscreants who are responsible for the crime.

Many of you are familiar with Thousand Oaks Boulevard and all the retail and eateries that line the thoroughfare for your enjoyment. This area of town, however, has recently been a favorite target of criminals. The past few weeks have seen eleven small business burglaries on Thousand Oaks Boulevard. Primarily, the burglaries occurred between 11pm and 7:30am to businesses on Thousand Oaks Blvd. between Moorpark Road and the 1500 block of East Thousand Oaks Blvd. Many of you travel this street and we are asking you to keep your eyes open and to report all suspicious activity, 805-654-9511. The Thousand Oaks Police Department is asking anyone with information regarding this rash of business burglaries to call detectives at 805-494-8201 or send me an e-mail. Whoever has information can request to remain anonymous. We need to stop and apprehend the responsible parties.

As a reminder to those who own or have friends who own businesses, please remember to do the following: test your alarm to ensure it properly functions; always set your alarm at closing time; leave any tills or cash registers empty and open to let any potential thieves know about the absence of money; do not keep currency accessible in the business after hours and place currency and valuables in a secured, fixed safe; ensure the interior and exterior of the business has adequate lighting to deter any loitering and potential thefts; use digital surveillance recording systems inside a business and be familiar on how to make a copy of recordings for responding deputies.

Illegal solicitors are still prevalent in our city. Typically, the illegal solicitors are from out of state and set up a base of operations in a local motel. They go knocking on your doors peddling goods and services and their actions seem harmless but you have to wonder ‘why?’ Why would people travel cross-country to sell magazines and live out of motel? These solicitors never get a permit to sell from the city, use questionable techniques, and many have ulterior motives. In a recent incident, a couple of these solicitors made derogatory comments to a female and then pistol-whipped the female’s boyfriend at a local parking lot. The criminals left but an astute deputy checked the local motels and found their vehicle. The bad guys were later arrested. Let’s continue to send the message that we do not want these solicitors in our city. Please call dispatch to report them. Remember, there is a reason why they circumvent the system and do not get a permit to sell.

Thefts from vehicles continue to assail our city. The outbreak of thefts is occurring throughout the city but predominately at park and rides, parks and hiking areas, and residential areas. Please, as you arrive and leave your location, whether it is a carport area, parking lot, or a local recreational area, look around your surroundings and look for any suspicious people in cars, on foot, or bicycle. They are out there and we need your help to stop these thefts.

A big thank you and kudos goes out to a local resident who observed suspicious activity, watched the suspicious person, and reported his observations to the police. As a result, one criminal is in custody for possessing and using a skimming device at a local ATM. The suspect placed a skimming device inside a Newbury Park ATM, placed an ‘Out of Order’ sign on the adjacent ATM, and watched as people withdrew money from the corrupt ATM. Does this sound familiar? It happened a couple months ago at the same bank branch. This citizen saved many people their money and all because he thought something was suspicious and reported it. Great job.

Finally, there is an arsonist in the city. The new, but not opened, Muvico Theater was a victim and yesterday a residence under construction fell victim. There was another intentionally set fire in the city. Arsonists typically stay and watch their inferno creation burn so with some luck, we might be able to catch this person.

We live and work in a great city and it is everyone’s responsibility to participate and help each other. The Thousand Oaks Police Department is asking for your help in reducing crime, putting the bad guys in jail, and reporting anything that is out of the ordinary or suspicious.

Remain vigilant,

Jim (DeSoto), Thousand Oaks Police Department