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.

The following is a summary of recent crimes in the unincorporated areas surrounding Thousand Oaks.

Oak Park

China Flat Trail Head – Vehicle Burglary

07-19-11 – Unknown suspect(s) entered victim’s locked vehicle when it was parked across the street from the entrance to China Flat Trail Head.  Property was removed from the floorboard of the vehicle. 

Conifer Street – Grand Theft from Residence

07-22-11 – Known suspect(s) entered the victim’s unlocked bedroom and removed jewelry.  The suspect was arrested and charged by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. The jewelry was not secured in a safe.

Covewood Street – Vehicle Burglary

07-20-11 – Unknown suspects entered the victim’s vehicle through a partially rolled down window when it was parked overnight in the driveway of the residence.  Suspect(s) reached in and removed victim’s property from the floorboard.

Parkside Court – Theft from Vehicle

07-23-11 – Unknown suspect(s) entered the victim’s unlocked vehicle when it was parked overnight and removed property.

Cresthill Drive – Vehicle Burglary

07-23-11 – Unknown suspect pried open victim’s vehicle window and removed property from the center console.

Casa Conejo

Henry Drive – Theft from Vehicle

07-13-11 – Unknown suspect(s) siphoned gas out of the gas tank while the victim’s vehicle was parked overnight.

Gloria Drive – Theft from Vehicle

07-16-11 – Unknown suspect(s) entered the victim’s unlocked vehicle and removed property from the center console.

Gerald Drive – Grand Theft from Residence

07-18-11 – Victim’s small safe was removed from the residence while they were out of town. 

Gerald Drive – Theft from Front Yard

08-09-11 – Victim’s skateboard was taken while left unattended in the front yard.

Lake Sherwood

None Reported

Hidden Valley

Santa Monica Mountains National Park –Vehicle Burglary

07-20-11 – Unknown suspect(s) smashed the window to the victim’s vehicle and removed property from the front seat.

Lynn Ranch

Camino Manzanas – Vehicle Burglary

07-18-11 – Unknown suspect(s) smashed the front passenger side window of victim’s locked vehicle.  Property was removed from the vehicle floorboard.

Graffiti – Oak Park

There has been an increase in graffiti throughout the Oak Park area.  The locations targeted have been schools, residential neighborhoods, and business complexes.  The writings/drawings are consistent with the suspect(s) being juveniles.  Although juveniles are routinely seen at night, please call the Sheriff’s Office at (805) 654-9511 to report any suspicious juveniles loitering at night.  An attempt is being made to identify juveniles out at night during the time frame these crimes are occurring.  With your help, the suspect(s) will most likely be identified by your calls.

Residential / Vehicle Burglaries

Suspects continue to target neighborhoods in which residents leave items inside vehicles in plain view.  Homes are usually targeted because an access point is found, providing entry into a home. 

Please report any and all suspicious vehicles or persons to the Sheriff's Office at 805-654-9511 or in emergencies cases, 911.  It is extremely important that residents remove all valuable items from vehicles, both day and night.  Residences and vehicles should be secured and alarms utilized if they are available.

By taking these few preventive measures, most crimes will be averted.  It only takes a few seconds for a thief to steal your property.  Residents can also subscribe to Ecsheriff.watch@ventura.org to receive information regarding criminal activity in their area.

Crime Stoppers

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 crimes.  The caller may remain anonymous.  The call is not recorded.  Call Crime Stoppers at 805-494-TALK (Thousand Oaks / Moorpark) or 805-385-TALK (Camarillo / Oxnard / Port Hueneme).