Nature of Incident: Three Suspects Arrested in Connection with Burglary of Thousand Oaks Bicycle Shop
Report Number: 18-87287
Location: Michael’s Bicycles, 2257 Michael Drive, Thousand Oaks
Date & Time: June 6, 2018 at approximately 5:25 AM
Unit Responsible: Thousand Oaks Police Department Patrol / Moorpark Police Department Patrol/ East County Patrol Services Investigations Bureau
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Walters, Mark Van Nuys 46
(S) Brown, Jason Agua Dulce 22
(S) McClafferty, Michael Seal Beach 48
(V) Michael’s Bicycles Thousand Oaks
Narrative:
On June 6, 2018, at approximately 5:27 a.m., Thousand Oaks Police Department patrol deputies were dispatched to Michael’s Bicycles located at 2257 Michael Drive in the city of Thousand Oaks for an audible burglary alarm. The owner of the business was able to remotely access the store’s video surveillance system and observed three suspects inside the closed store.
When deputies arrived at the store they conducted an initial investigation and learned that three suspects gained access to the store by breaking a front window. The three suspects stole six high value bicycles totaling an estimated value of $30,000.00. The suspects then loaded the bicycles into a moving van. Two of the suspects drove off in the moving van and the third suspect drove off in a Ford sport utility vehicle bearing paper dealership plates.
Ventura County Sheriff’s dispatchers broadcasted a description of the two involved vehicles and the suspects. At about 5:50 a.m., a Moorpark Police Department patrol deputy observed the two involved vehicles driving eastbound on State Route 118 through the city of Simi Valley. The patrol deputy followed the two vehicles as they continued on State Route 118 eventually exiting at Topanga Canyon Road.
The moving van pulled into and stopped at a nearby mobile home park. The Ford SUV continued southbound on Topanga Canyon Road, out of sight. The driver and the passenger fled from the moving van and a short foot pursuit ensued. One of the occupants was taken into custody and identified as Van Nuys resident, Mark Walters. Walters was arrested and booked into the Ventura County Jail for burglary. The passenger was not immediately located.
Thousand Oaks Police detectives took over the investigation and identified the other two suspects as Agua Dulce resident Jason Brown and Seal Beach resident Michael McClafferty.
On June 8, 2018, Detectives located Jason Brown leaving a residence located in the 6000 block of Ranchito Lane in the Van Nuys area with an uninvolved male subject. Brown was arrested for the burglary and the male subject was detained. A probation search was conducted at the house Brown and the male subject were staying at.
As a result of the search, a useable amount of methamphetamine, heroin, a stolen firearm, and two stolen vehicles were all located. In addition, evidence of an illegal “chop shop” operation was uncovered at the location. Jason Brown was booked into the Ventura County Jail for burglary. The Los Angeles Police Department responded to the residence and conducted a follow up investigation regarding the gun, narcotics, stolen vehicles, and the chop shop. Their investigation is still ongoing.
On June 11, 2018, Detectives located Michael McClafferty in Culver City. McClafferty was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Ventura County Mail Jail for burglary.
All of the bicycles stolen in the burglary have been recovered and there are no outstanding suspects.
Prepared by: Sergeant Robert Davidson
Media Release Date: April 30, 2018
Media Follow-Up Contact: Detective Jon Lyman
(805) 371-8396
[email protected]
Approved by: Captain Bill Schierman
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 this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
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