Thousand Oaks Police Department City Watch Update - December 15, 2011

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,

The chill is in the air and the days have been blustery but that has not deterred the criminal mind.  Many thefts from vehicles are happening throughout the day. Please do not keep valuables in plain view within your vehicles as thieves are attracted to such invitations.

Unsecured Doors

I wrote a short blurb last week about the thefts of tailgates that occurred in Camarillo.  Well, time does not stand still and neither do criminals.  The thefts of tailgates made their way into Thousand Oaks. The tailgates have been taken from full-sized American made trucks: GMC, Dodge and Chevrolet.  Although it is difficult to secure a tailgate to prevent its theft, we can alert truck owners so precautions can be made.  These thefts will likely continue and the more people that are watching, the greater the chance to catch the suspects and stop the thefts.

The knives have it

This past month has borne a few knife incidents and some lessons.  The first message is to never bring a knife to a gunfight.  An incensed and enraged bicyclist was angry with a motorist for apparently not yielding the right-of-way. Instead of forgetting and continuing in his way, the bicyclist lifted his bicycle and threatened to throw it threw the motorist’s windshield.  When that did not produce the results he wanted, he pounded on the driver’s widow, challenged the driver to fight and brandished a knife.  The bicyclist quickly calmed down when the driver, who was an off-duty peace officer, detained the bicyclist a gunpoint.  Not surprisingly, the bicyclist was also angry with the responding officers and he wound up taking up residence at the county jail.

A deputy observed three persons acting suspicious and by the time he was able to contact them, two of them fled.  The one he detained had an injury that he attributed to gang members that cut him with a knife.  A person having inconsistencies and relating dubious stories is a detective’s delight. In this case, the victim turned into a suspect, as the threads of his fabricated, fanciful yarn were unraveled.  Turned out our inebriated friend was walking with a friend from a party after they both had too much to drink.  After talking nonsense to each other, they decided it was best to settle their meaningless, childish dispute by fighting each other with knives.  He only accomplished an abrupt arrest for fighting and for filing a false police report.

Another lesson is: take the hint.  A person was prohibited from a residence and, despite knowing this, he still trespassed. The residents decided to escort the intruder out but a verbal and physical fight ensued and a person was struck with a wrench. The intruder, still obdurate, decided to make his point by wielding a large knife and puncturing the victim with the tip of the knife.  After realizing his great gaffe, he fled on foot, discarding his clothing and dagger in a dumpster. The swarm of deputies swiftly found and secured the suspect, and told him that although he was persona non grata at the residence, he was welcome at the county jail anytime.

Like a good neighbor, friends are there

The essence of a neighborhood watch program is having neighbors looking out for each other and working with the police.  Two residents were in their front yard when they noticed a stranger skulking in the surrounding area.  They kept watching the fiendish foreigner and eventually saw him looking into a neighbor’s bedroom window.  The proactive male protagonists pounced on the peeping Tom and detained him for the arriving deputies.  A happy ending thanks to the observant neighbors as the voyeuristic villain was soon vanquished to the famed halls of the county jail.

Deputized Firemen

The holiday season is a time for family and celebrating but, unfortunately, the celebrating also brings about an increase in DUIs.  Two firemen were returning to their duty station when their truck was almost broadsided by a speeding, out-of-control, careening vehicle.  They watched as the vehicle passed them, wove on the wrong side of the street, attempted to drive over the raised center median and when finally succeeding in traversing the divider, blew out two tires.  After driving a short way on two flat tires, the firemen rightfully saw the grave danger in how the driver was jeopardizing the public.  They decided to activate their overhead lights and surprisingly the driver stopped but tried to drive away when she realized it was not the police.  One of the firemen quickly removed the keys form the ignition and probably saved the driver and others from serious injury.

Beware of chameleons

Whether by charm, looks, persuasion or apparent honesty, many people are taken advantage of and tricked by these alluring qualities.  A woman was walking to a local motel with her luggage when the security guard offered to help carry her belongings.  Appreciative of the assistance, the woman gladly gave her property to the security guard.  When she got the front desk, she told the clerk the security guard was bringing in her luggage.  When the clerk replied that the hotel did not have a security guard, the victim realized the imposter was long gone with her baggage.

Another woman was parking her vehicle on the street between two other cars. A helpful Samaritan decided to give verbal directions so that she would not hit either car.  Once the car was parked, the woman got out of her vehicle and answered her ringing cell phone.  The masquerading helper seized the moment and tried to steal the woman’s purse and shopping bag.  The victim held her ground and the would-be thief went away empty handed.  This is the time of the year where more “helpers” will be around to assist you, so be careful.

Bicycles

Commercial burglaries are frequent and the merchandise taken is very valuable. Commercial burglaries occur because many times the areas are remote, it only takes a few moments to complete the crime and vehicle traffic is minimal.  A local warehouse was recently burglarized twice and both times thousands of dollars of bicycles were taken. The warehouse is in Newbury Park and we hope that someone may have information regarding the thefts. Please call detectives at 805.494.8201 if you have any information.

Our bicycle team was at it again.  While pedaling around the City, they came across a man with a backpack and two of his friends.  Having the friendly, holiday spirit, they decided to stop and converse with the trio. After exchanging pleasantries, the bike team decided to inquire about the contents of the backpack. Once the conversation focused on the backpack, the two friends focused on departing and they left. Inside the backpack was questionable property and after further investigation, the bike team discovered the property was stolen and connected the suspect to a residential burglary. Once at the police station, the suspect denied his involvement but the perceptive investigator was able to see through the thin veil of the suspect’s deception.  The victims were unaware of the theft and they were happy to get back most of their property.

Epilogue

I previously wrote about a string of burglaries at the Conejo Adult School. The thieves were successful so they continued to return and commit more crimes. Like a greedy mouse getting ensnared in a cheese filled trap, the culprits’ luck ran out.  Over an extended weekend, the thieves revisited the place of previous escapades but this time enough evidence was collected to identify and later arrest them. Three young juveniles were arrested for multiple burglaries that occurred at the location. Most of the items taken, however, were food and items of very little value. Nevertheless and sadly, the trio of troubled thieves will have felony arrests on their permanent records.

Your assistance helps to solve crimes. Please continue to report suspicious activity and suspicious vehicles to our dispatch center at 805.654.9511 or report crime anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Take care,

Jim (DeSoto)