Thousand Oaks City Watch Alert Update - June 11, 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,

I hope all is well with everyone and that no one has experienced any hardships as a result of the economy or fiscal status of your respective company. I have important information to share with you, as your deputies have been busy taking crime reports and handling suspicious persons and vehicles calls.

In all six beat areas of our city, vehicles have been targeted. Yes, vehicles have been unlocked and expensive items taken, but also, many forced entries have been made into vehicles. Those locks and car alarms are ineffective against intrusion when valuables are left in plain view inside vehicles. A criminal only needs a few seconds to get away with your hard-earned, valuable and important articles. A few more catalytic converters were stolen of off vehicles. These thefts happened during the day.

Thieves are focusing their energy on parking lots. The areas where vehicle thefts have occurred include the 24 Hour Fitness, The Spectrum Club, Los Robles Hospital’s parking structure, and golf courses. Most of these thefts also have happened during the day and I suspect there were probably witnesses who were unaware of what was transpiring. Please get the word out to remain vigilant.

Vandals struck multiple locations in Newbury Park by using BB guns to shoot at windows of vehicles. Please remember that it is illegal to discharge any air gun within the city limits and we ask that you report any inappropriate use or behavior with air guns to your dispatch center at 805-654-9511.

The Octagon residential track in Westlake Village has been struck with residential burglaries. Possible suspect vehicles are described as an older, black, four-door pick-up truck with big rims and tires and another vehicle in the area was a white pick-up truck. In these residential burglaries, the crooks are getting in the house via forcing a rear slider or smashing a rear window. The residential burglaries are occurring during the day so we asking that you continue to be aware and observant of suspicious activities in your respective neighborhoods.

On an optimistic note, I frequently hear positive feedback from the patrol deputies. They appreciate your assistance and you make their jobs much easier because of your involvement in keeping our community one of the best in the nation. This is truly a Community Orientated Policing and Problem Solving relationship that we have and on behalf of the city of Thousand Oaks and the Thousand Oaks Police Department, thank you for your support.

Take care,

Jim (DeSoto)