Community
News Story-Thousand Oaks SATG Burglary Arrests
| Nature of Incident: | South American Theft Group Residential Burglary Suspects Arrested | ||||
| Report Number: | 22-150239 | ||||
| Location: | 4000 block of Calle Del Sol, Thousand Oaks |
||||
| Date & Time: | 11/9/2022 8:00 p.m. | ||||
| Unit(s) Responsible: | Thousand Oaks Special Enforcement Unit, Moorpark Special Enforcement Detail, Thousand Oaks Patrol Services |
||||
| (S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent |
City of Residence |
Age | |||
| (S) Luis Esteban Castillo Vivar (S) Michel Estefano Contreras Belmar (S) Male Juvenile |
Los Angeles Los Angeles Los Angeles |
25 30 14 |
|||
| Narrative: | |||||
| On November 9, 2022, detectives with the Thousand Oaks Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) arrested three suspects for residential burglary, possession of fraudulent government identifications, and possession of burglary tools. On November 9, 2022, detectives with the Thousand Oaks Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) and Moorpark Special Enforcement Detail (SED) were partnering to conduct high visibility enforcement patrols. These patrols are in response to an expected seasonal increase in residential burglaries that can be directly attributed to transnational criminals commonly referred to as South American Theft Group members. At approximately 7:45 p.m., detectives responded along with Thousand Oaks patrol deputies to a call for service regarding a residential burglary in progress in the 4000 block of Calle Del Sol. Deputies were able to establish a perimeter around the residence and neighborhood as the burglary was being committed. When deputies tried to contact the suspects, three suspects fled from the deputies but were captured shortly thereafter. Deputies seized property that had been stolen from the residence along with burglary tools and fraudulent government identification cards from foreign countries. Detectives identified the suspects as (S) Luis Esteban Castillo Vivar, (S) Michael Estefano Contreras Belmar, and a 14-year-old male juvenile. Detectives determined Castillo Vivar and Contreras Belmar were Chilean Nationals who entered the United States through the Visa Waiver Program. Detectives determined the juvenile was also a Chilean National. Detectives believe these suspects are responsible for other recent residential burglaries in the Santa Rosa Valley area near Moorpark, Thousand Oaks, Hidden Hills, and other communities across the United States. The investigation into these crimes is ongoing and detectives are actively working with partnering law enforcement agencies. Castillo Vivar was booked into the East Valley Jail for conspiracy to commit residential burglary and possession of fraudulent government documents. Contreras Belmar was booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility for conspiracy to commit residential burglary, possession of fraudulent government documents, and possession of burglary tools. They are currently in custody with bail set at $150,000. The male juvenile was lodged at the Ventura County Juvenile Justice Facility. |
|||||
| Prepared by: | Sergeant Greg Gibson | ||||
| News Release Date: | November 10, 2022 | ||||
| Media Follow-Up Contact: | Senior Deputy Richard Lasecla (805) 797-6357 [email protected] |
||||
| Approved by: Booking Photo Release: |
Captain Steve Jenkins YES NO |
||||
Address/Location
Ventura County Sheriff's Office
800 S Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93003
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-654-9511