Community
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).
Minor Decoy Operation
| Nature of Incident: | Minor Decoy Operation | ||||
| Location: | City of Thousand Oaks |
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| Date & Time: | February 8, 2024 | ||||
| Unit(s) Responsible: | Thousand Oaks Directed Enforcement Unit (DEU) and Ventura County Public Health Tobacco Education and Prevention Program. |
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| (S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent |
City of Residence |
Age | |||
| (S) 3 adult males Narrative: Ventura County Public Health Tobacco Education and Prevention Program and Deputies from the Thousand Oaks Directed Enforcement Unit (DEU) have issued three arrest citations to clerks for selling tobacco products to minors on February 8, 2024. The actions were the result of a Minor Decoy Operation in which minors under the direct supervision of Ventura Couty Sheriff’s deputies attempted to purchase tobacco products from twenty licensed businesses in Thousand Oaks. A Minor Decoy operation involves a person under the age of 21 years old who enters establishments and attempts to purchase tobacco. The minor decoy appears young, provides valid identification when asked, and makes no attempts to mislead the seller. The decoy is supervised by peace officers during the entire process. Three businesses, Hampshire Liquor, One Stop Smoke Shop, and Baked Blvd Smoke Shop sold tobacco products to a minor decoy. After the tobacco was sold to the minor decoy, the clerks were contacted by deputies and issued arrest citations. In addition, violators were provided education on the current laws regarding tobacco sales by Ventura County Public Health Tobacco Education and Prevention Program. The clerks who sold to a minor could face a minimum fine of $200. In addition, the California Department of Public Health may take administrative action against the license of the business where tobacco was sold to a minor. That may include a fine, suspension, or the permanent revocation of the license. DEU will continue to work with Ventura County Public Health and other organizations to educate and enforce underage tobacco sales. Anyone who knows of establishments who sell tobacco products to minors can call the Sheriff’s Office at (805) 654-9511. People who call can remain anonymous. Ventura County Public Health offers a FREE “Call It Quits” stop smoking classes!  |
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| Prepared by: | Sergeant Jonathan James | ||||
| News Release Date: | February 17, 2024 | ||||
| Media Follow-Up Contact: | Senior Deputy Jonathan San Jose 805-947-8229 |
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| Approved by: Booking Photo Release: |
Captain Dean Cook YES NO |
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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).
Address/Location
Ventura County Sheriff's Office
800 S Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93003
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-654-9511