The Oaks Shopping Center Theft Arrests
Ventura County Sheriff – Incident Press Release
On May 22, 2018, Detectives with the Thousand Oaks Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit and Investigations Bureau partnered with Loss Prevention Agents from multiple retail stores and The Oaks Shopping Center security to conduct an enforcement operation at The Oaks Shopping Center targeting shoplifters. During the enforcement operation, deputies were able to confirm two thefts occurred at one of the businesses at the shopping center and arrested four individuals involved in those thefts. Additionally, deputies conducted pro-active enforcement and arrested three other individuals for miscellaneous misdemeanor violations.
Detectives initially observed (S) Felipe Ventura, while walking around a retail store. At about the same time, detectives learned (A) Kimberly Mejia had been observed to be exhibiting behavior consistent with shoplifting. Detectives observed Ventura and Mejia meet up and walk out to a vehicle, where they were contacted by deputies. Further investigation determined Ventura had committed a shoplift at a retail store. Furthermore, detectives located property that had been stolen earlier in the morning during a vehicle burglary in Thousand Oaks. Ventura was arrested for PC 459.5(a) – Shoplifting, 496(a) PC – Receiving Stolen Property Under $950, HS 11550(a – Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance, and PC 459, Second Degree Burglary of a Vehicle. Mejia was arrested for PC 496(a) – Possession of Stolen Property, PC 459 – Second Degree Burglary of a Vehicle and narcotics charges. Ventura and Mejia were booked into the Main Jail for the violations. Mejia was released on her own recognizance.
Later, detectives observed (S) Alex Goodro and (S) Kristen Malone walking around The Oaks Shopping Center together. Goodro and Malone were later observed to exhibit suspicious behavior in a retail store consistent with shoplifting. Detectives followed Goodro and Malone after they left the store and contacted them as they were about to leave the mall. Detectives located property that had just been stolen from a retail store. Detectives were also able to confirm that Goodro had committed a separate shoplift from another retail store on May 20, 2018. (A) Goodro was arrested for two counts of PC 459.5(a) – Shoplifting, PC 182(a)(1) – Conspiracy to Commit a Crime, PC 466 – Possession of a Burglar’s Tools, and narcotics charges. (A) Malone was arrested for PC 459.5(a) – Shoplifting, and PC 182(a)(1) PC – Conspiracy to Commit a Crime. Goodro and Malone were booked into the Main Jail, where their bail was set at $100,000.
According to the National Retail Foundation, Organized Retail Crime is responsible for approximately $30 billion in losses each year. The Thousand Oaks Police Department is committed to conducting future enforcement actions at retail locations throughout the City of Thousand Oaks to mitigate retail theft and to identify and arrest individuals engaged in Organized Retail Crime.
Get Citizensjournal.us Headlines free SUBSCRIPTION. Keep us publishing – DONATE
