The LA County Sheriff, and the City of Thousand Oaks, have both issued a city wide alerts about burglary groups targeting the area — specifically, Westlake Village (both LA and Ventura County sides) and Calabasas have already seen incidents. And, they’ve been taking place throughout West Los Angeles, Woodland Hills, and the San Gabriel Valley for the past several months.
See the two releases below from each department.
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For City of Westlake Village, From Malibu/Lost Hills Station, LA County Sheriff
Captain Joseph H. Stephen, Malibu/Lost Hills Station Unit Commander, is advising residents to be alert for the “knock knock” type burglars. This phenomenon has been occurring throughout West Los Angeles, Woodland Hills, and the San Gabriel Valley for the past several months.
The city of Calabasas experienced a similar burglary attempt on September 27, 2012. The suspects knocked on the front door, however the resident inside didn’t answer. The resident was looking through a window at the unknown suspects. The resident armed himself with a shotgun and scared the suspects away. On October 16, 2012, a similar burglary also occurred in Westlake Village. In this incident the housekeeper returned home and the suspects fled the location. Although these are only two incidents, we still want everyone to be aware and alert.
In most of these cases, if no one answers, the suspects go around to the side of the houses and look for an open door or window. Once inside they steal all valuables in plain view and flee the location.
In Ventura County’s North Ranch area of Thousand Oaks, police are looking for three men suspected of tying up a resident inside her home last week. These suspects entered through an open side entrance wearing ski masks and hooded sweatshirts. At least one of the suspects was armed. Once inside they stole jewelry and valuables and fled.
We are encouraging everyone to be vigilant and observant, by not opening your doors to strangers and locking all doors. Keep the exterior of your residence lit in the evening hours and park your vehicles in a safe place.
Lastly, Malibu/Lost Hills Stations overall part 1 crime continues to be below last year’s averages by 4.5%; however the community should not feel as though these incidents don’t or cannot occur, even if they are very infrequent.
Things to look out for:
* Vehicles driving slow on your street
* Parked vehicles which are occupied
* Unknown vehicles parked in front your house or neighbor’s house.
* Suspicious subjects or unknown people walking through your neighborhood.
* Suspicious subjects walking toward or away from your neighbor’s homes that you cannot identify as your neighbors.
If you observe anything or anyone suspicious in your community please call Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station at (818) 878-1808 and if it’s an emergency please call 911.
If you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
To receive detailed, up-to-date information directly from the LASD via e-mail, register for “Nixle” alerts at www.Nixle.com and register for “LASD-HQ Newsroom (SHB), Los Angeles County Sheriff” and also register for your local LASD station area. Or, text your zip code to 888777 to receive text alerts only. Standard text messaging rates may apply, depending on your calling plan.
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CITY WIDE ALERT for CITY OF THOUSAND OAKS
City Watch Members,
Burglary groups are targeting homes in the Westlake Village area, specifically the North Ranch neighborhood and south of that location. This does not preclude any other residential area in the city of Thousand Oaks from being the next victim. All residents of Thousand Oaks need to be on high alert. These groups generally scout neighborhoods looking for their next victim and occur during daytime hours.
Thousand Oaks Police Detectives are working hard at solving these cases. We are trying to identify and stop the suspects from further burglaries. We are asking for the public’s help in reporting any suspicious vehicles or persons in your neighborhood.
Things to look for:
Vehicles driving slow on your street
Parked vehicles which are occupied
Unknown vehicles parked in front of neighbors homes
Suspicious subjects or unknown people walking through your neighborhood.
Suspicious subjects walking toward or away from your neighbors homes that you cannot identify as your neighbors.
If you are on a walk or run I encourage you to carry your cell phone so you can call in suspicious persons or vehicles while you are out. If you have a camera feature on your phone take photographs of vehicles or suspicious persons if possible and without detection. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO APPREHEND OR INTERFERE WITH THE SUSPECTS.
If you see anyone who appears suspicious or suspicious vehicles in your neighborhood you are asked to call sheriffs dispatch immediately at (805) 654 9511 or 911.
Tim
