Nature of Incident: Arrest of serial “hot prowl” burglary suspect
Report Number: 14-28669
Location: 2600 Block of Hillcrest Drive - Thousand Oaks
Date & Time: 12/21/2014 1330
Unit Responsible: Thousand Oaks Police Patrol and Investigations
(S)uspect City of Residence Age
Tricia Moran Thousand Oaks 45
Narrative:
Over the past few months, there has been an increase in “hot prowl” residential burglaries throughout the Thousand Oaks area. The crimes involved a female suspect who was seen fleeing the crime scenes on a mountain bike.
A “hot prowl” burglary is unique in that it occurs in the evening time while resident(s) are home and oftentimes asleep. Most residential burglaries occur in the day time as suspects prefer to not encounter residents inside the home.
Due to the serious nature of the recent crimes, Thousand Oaks Police Investigators have been working the cases in an attempt to identify and apprehend the suspect.
On 12/21/14 at about 7:00am, Thousand Oaks Police received a call from a Thousand Oaks resident stating there was a female running from her backyard to her front yard. The suspect got on a mountain bike and fled the area. Evidence left at the scene helped investigators learn the identity of the suspect who was identified as Tricia Moran. Moran lived a few blocks away from where the resident encountered her in her backyard.
Investigators learned that several crimes occurred the night of 12/21/14 in the same residential area, which was near Duesenberg Drive and Clear Water Street. One of those crimes was a hot prowl burglary.
A probation search was done at Moran’s residence. The search uncovered several pieces of evidence that matched evidence described at the different crime scenes. Moran was also in possession of methamphetamine.
Moran was arrested for 459PC (Residential Burglary) and 664/459PC (Attempt Residential burglary) and booked into the Ventura County Jail with a bail of $500,000. Investigators are expecting to add additional residential burglary charges for the previous crimes.
Thousand Oaks Investigators believe there may be more victims and are asking the public’s help. If anyone has information about these crimes please call Detective Jerin Widofsky at (805) 494-8221
Prepared by: Sgt. Jason Robarts
Media Release Date:12/22/2014
Media Follow-Up Contact: Detective Jerin Widofsky (805) 494-8221
Sgt. Jason Robarts (805)947-8108
Approved by: Captain Jim Fryhoff
