Thousand Oaks City Watch Update - November 30, 2010

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

Crime Fighters,

I hope everyone survived the Thanksgiving feasts and the gift shopping. The holiday season and cold weather are upon us and the crisp air is refreshing. This time of year, however, invites opportunities for thefts and more serious crimes. During the past week, four robberies have occurred in Moorpark and Thousand Oaks and the number of the robberies in such a short time span is unusual.

The robberies in Moorpark involved a Wendy’s eatery and a bakery. A handgun was simulated but not seen in one crime and a knife was brandished in the other robbery. The third robbery happened in Thousand Oaks and involved the victim being kidnapped, carjacked, and robbed. The victim’s ordeal ended in Moorpark where he was dropped-off unharmed. These three robberies happened on the same day last week.

Yesterday, Monday, November 30, we had another robbery in Thousand Oaks at a dry cleaning business. As in a previous robbery, a handgun was simulated but not seen. The suspects, male Hispanics, committed these robberies. These crimes are a priority and our detectives are diligently and actively pursuing the suspects.

Although these cases are uncharacteristic for Thousand Oaks, robberies do sometimes happen. A different dry cleaning business was robbed two weeks ago by a knife wielding suspect who escaped on foot and a woman stated she was battered and robbed of her purse while she walked on an isolated pathway behind a retail establishment. Another person with a liking for easy money took two tip jars from different food shops. The suspect walked-in, looked around and obviously had no intention of purchasing food or drinks. The suspect then asked to see the manager. In both instances when the employee went to get the manager, the crook grabbed the tip jar and ran out the door.

An older teenager was walking to work in the afternoon when a male subject, who was walking toward the victim, accosted her. The suspect grabbed the victim inappropriately and ran off. The victim was not physically harmed. In another incident, the suspect also ran off after committing his offense. In this crime, however, the suspect entered a residence through unlocked French patio doors, turned on the television’s surround sound, turned on the computer and accessed and viewed pornography. The homeowner awakened, turned off the equipment and went back to bed. A few minutes later, the victim again was awoken by noise and found her computer turned back on. When the victim called ‘911,’ the victim saw the intruder unlock the front door and run off into the darkness. Fortunately, the victim and the victim’s children were not injured and nothing was taken from the residence.

Finally, here is my constant reminder to always lock your vehicles and not to keep any valuables inside your vehicles. The patrol deputies continue to take theft from vehicle reports and vehicle burglary reports. Please do not keep your garage’s remote control inside your vehicle if you park on your driveway or street. A few vehicles were broken into and the thieves helped themselves to the garage with the aid of the remote control. Luckily, the thieves did not enter the residence. These snippets of crime happening in Conejo Valley hopefully serves as a reminder to always be aware of your surroundings and take the offensive against crime by being proactive and attentive.

Take care,

Jim (DeSoto)