Teenager Arrested for Ventura County Crime Spree
Months-Long Investigation Leads to Arrest of 17-Year-Old Suspect
A 17-year-old male from Oxnard was arrested on February 4th after a months-long investigation by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office into a series of thefts from vehicles that occurred in December 2024.
Crime Spree Across Ventura County
The suspect, whose identity was not released due to his underage status, was accused of targeting vehicles in Thousand Oaks and the community of Oak Park on December 2nd. He would search for unlocked cars or tamper with locked ones, stealing whatever he could find inside, including cash, credit cards, personal identifying information, and personal property.
Theft of Stolen Credit Cards
The stolen credit cards were used to make purchases at businesses across Ventura County, and the getaway car used to commit the crimes had also been stolen out of Oxnard. Detectives eventually located the suspect’s car, which was found to contain stolen property.
Arrest and Charges
The teenager was arrested and charged with petty theft, grand theft, conspiracy to commit a crime, identity theft, and vehicle tampering. The stolen vehicle and property were later returned to their owners.
Prevention and Tips
The East County Investigations Property Crimes Unit reminds the public to keep their vehicles locked and secure, and to remove any valuables from the vehicle when not in use. If you witness suspicious activity, please call 911 or the Ventura County Sheriff’s non-emergency line at 805-654-9511.
FAQs
* Q: What was the nature of the crime spree?
A: The suspect targeted vehicles in Thousand Oaks and Oak Park, stealing cash, credit cards, personal identifying information, and personal property.
* Q: How was the suspect caught?
A: Detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office investigated the crimes and located the suspect’s car, which contained stolen property.
* Q: What were the charges against the suspect?
A: Petty theft, grand theft, conspiracy to commit a crime, identity theft, and vehicle tampering.
* Q: What is being done to prevent similar crimes in the future?
A: The East County Investigations Property Crimes Unit is reminding the public to keep their vehicles locked and secure, and to remove any valuables from the vehicle when not in use.
