Thousand Oaks Police Department Business Watch Update - May 31, 2011

From the Thousand Oaks Police Department:

Last month a vandalism occurred at the Cheesecake Factory in Thousand Oaks.  A possible known suspect threw a container of oil at the business.  This same type of crime has occurred several times in Oxnard.  If this crime has occurred at your business or if it does, we are asking you report it to the Thousand Oaks Police Department by calling (805) 654-9511.  The more calls we receive the better chance we have in making an arrest. Remember, even a call with the least information may solve several other cases.

Perhaps It's Not a Good Idea to Post Your Whereabouts in Facebook and Twitter

This Ventura County Sheriff's Department news release is a case study in why you don't want to tell people where you're going in Facebook, Twitter and elsewhere on the Web! Though in this case, it was a friend of the victim who made that mistake. But the good news is...the GPS system in the computer's software allowed Sheriffs to recover the computer from the culprit. Nice!

On February 18, 2011, Sheriff’s deputies from the Moorpark Patrol Station responded to a residential burglary call in an unincorporated area outside of Moorpark.  Suspect(s) had entered the residence and had stolen a laptop computer.

Moorpark Station Detectives interviewed the victim and learned that a friend of the victim had innocently posted on FaceBook that the victim and his family were visiting Universal Studios on the day of the burglary.  Detectives also learned that the stolen computer was equipped with a GPS system embedded into the computer’s software.  Through the use of the GPS, Moorpark detectives were able to track the stolen computer to a hotel room in the City of Ventura.

With the assistance of patrol deputies from the Headquarters Station, Moorpark detectives contacted the suspect, Arnold Ikeda, at the hotel room, and arrested him for possessing the stolen computer.  Ikeda was also charged with several drug related offenses, as a subsequent investigation showed that he was also involved in narcotics sales from the hotel room.  During the investigation, a second suspect, Desiree Lovio, arrived at the location and was also arrested on drug related charges.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is reminding everyone who uses social networking websites to do so responsibly.  Be cautious of the information you post on these sites as criminals have the ability to learn of your daily activities and use the information to facilitate their crimes.

Spanish Speaking Community Robbery Scam in Newbury Park on January 25th

From the Thousand Oaks Police Department

Nature of Incident: Robbery scam in Spanish speaking community

Location: 600 Block of Avenida Del Platino, Newbury Park

Date & Time: January 25, 2011 @ 1:25 p.m.

Victim: Female adult / Hispanic Newbury Park 56
Suspect 1 (S-1): Hispanic male Unknown 60-65 years
Suspect 2 (S-2): Hispanic female Unknown 60-65 years

A Newbury Park woman was the victim of a robbery once the suspects talked their way into her home. The female Hispanic victim answered a knock at her front door and was greeted by an older Hispanic couple. The man asked in Spanish if they could have some water, while both suspects acted like they were in need of water. The victim felt sorry for the couple and said in Spanish she would get them some water. The victim left the door open and walked to her kitchen to get some water.

When the victim turned around, both the suspects were already in her home. The victim gave some water to the female suspect as the male suspect walked into the victim’s bedroom. The victim followed after the male suspect and asked what he was doing. The male suspect turned and approached the victim in an intimidating manner. The male suspect got angry and yelled at the victim to “be quiet.”

The victim became very afraid of the suspects and feared for her safety because she was home alone. Both suspects went through the residence looking for items to take. The suspects took items of gold jewelry, a flat screen television, an Apple iPod touch, a black PSP Play Station, victim’s cell phone, U.S. Currency, U.S. Immigration card and Social Security Card.

The suspects loaded the items into an older light gray van (possibly a Chrysler), and locked the victim out of her home before driving away.

(S-1) is described as a Hispanic male in his early to mid sixties, 5’-4” to 5’-7” in height, 155 to 165 pounds, well dressed, and spoke only Spanish in a loud intimidating voice. (S-2) is described as an Hispanic female in her early to mid sixties, 5’-6” to 5’-8” in height, 200 to 230 pounds, long straight black hair worn in a pony tail that reached her lower back, wearing a black sweater over a long black dress with black flat shoes, brown purse, and only spoke Spanish. Neither suspect had any unique traits, scars, marks, or tattoos. Based on the victim only speaking Spanish and living in a predominantly Spanish neighborhood, I believe the suspects will continue to prey upon other Hispanic victims.

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Thousand Oaks Police Department Homicide Investigation - Altercation on January 26th

VC Star update 1/28/11 at www.vcstar.com/news/2011/jan/27/sheriffs-department-investigating-homicides-at/

From the Thousand Oaks Police Department

Two male subjects became involved in a physical altercation near the intersection of Lindero Canyon Road and Bowfield Street. Both subjects were injured as a result of the altercation. One of the subjects succumbed to injuries as result of being stabbed. The identity of the deceased has not been released pending notification of next of kin. The other male was transported to a nearby hospital and treated for his injuries.

On January 26, 2011, at about 9:43 p.m., Sheriff’s Communication Center received a 9-1-1 call reporting a physical altercation at the intersection. At about 9:49 p.m., Sheriff’s patrol deputies arrived on scene and discovered two injured males on the sidewalk. Ventura County Fire arrived on scene and pronounced one of the subjects deceased at the scene. The other subject was treated for his injuries.

The investigation is continuing to determine what prompted the altercation and the relationship between the two subjects. The injured subject’s name has not been released due to the ongoing investigation.

Lynn Oaks Pharmacy in Thousand Oaks Robbed on Thursday, January 20th

From the Thousand Oaks Police Department

A masked gunman robbed Lynn Oaks Pharmacy 2220 North Lynn Rd. Thousand Oaks on Thursday, January 20, 2011 at 3:45 p.m.

An unidentified man wearing a ski mask and brandishing a handgun robbed a Thousand Oaks pharmacy Thursday afternoon.

The suspect entered the Lynn Oaks Pharmacy, which is located in a medical building on Lynn Road. The suspect pointed a black semi-automatic handgun at the employees and demanded they give him bottles of specific medications.

Fearing for their safety, the employees complied with the suspect’s demands. The suspect left the pharmacy with an undisclosed quantity of medications. No one was injured during the heist.

The suspect was described as a white male, approximately 20-30 years old. He was 6’0” and weighed approximately 200 pounds. The suspect wore all black clothing, including boots, gloves and a ski mask.

The suspect left the area in a white Ford Explorer before deputies arrived at the scene. Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to contact Detective Jon Smith at (805)494-8216.

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Casa Conejo Crime Alert From East County Sheriff Watch

Here is the latest "East County Sheriff Watch" alert from the Ventura County Sheriff's Department. This program is designed to target unincorporated neighborhoods in the area, such as Oak Park, Bell Canyon, Lynn Ranch, Casa Conejo and Lake Sherwood. If you would like these updates directly from him via email, click here for more information.

To the residents in the Casa Conejo residential area, a reminder to be vigilant and aware of what is happening in your area.  On the evening of Monday, January 17^th, into the morning of Tuesday, January 18^th, we were hit with several vehicle burglaries.  The crimes were committed on Jeanne Court, Michael Drive, Dena Drive, Randy Drive, Henry Drive and Wendy Drive. 

Remember not to leave any valuables in your car, especially in plain sight.  Most of these crimes were window smashes, where the criminal took personal property that was left in the car that could have easily been removed and taken inside your home. You can deter some of the crime by not making yourself an attractive victim to the criminals.

Please be aware of any suspicious activity in your neighborhood.  REMAIN VIGILANT!  We need your help to catch those responsible for this crime spree.  If you see or hear anything you feel is suspicious, please call 911 or 654-9511.