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East County Special Enforcement Unit, Ventura County Auto Theft Task Force, Ventura County Sheriff’s Technical Support Unit, Fillmore Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Ventura County Sheriff’s Crime Analysis Unit, East County Investigations Bureau
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A joint operation by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office East County Special Enforcement Unit and the Los Angeles Police Department (PSU) led to the arrest of two people suspected of orchestrating a sophisticated stolen vehicle operation. One arrestee is also suspected of being responsible for a series of commercial burglaries committed in Thousand Oaks. On November 22nd, 2024, search warrants were served at two Compton locations which led to the seizure of evidence related to auto thefts and burglaries throughout Ventura and Los Angeles Counties.
During the month of October 2024, a Dodge Ram Hellcat TRX was stolen from the unincorporated Ventura County community of Oak Park. There were two additional attempts to steal similar vehicles in Thousand Oaks during this time, in which Dodge Ram Hellcat TRX trucks were broken into via shattering the rear glass windows. Through this investigation, detectives learned neighboring jurisdictions of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Los Angeles Police Department were experiencing auto thefts in which similar model vehicles were being targeted with a similar mode of operating. Sheriff’s East County Special Enforcement Unit detectives identified two suspects as Joel Quinonez and a male juvenile, both residents of the City of Compton. Special Enforcement Unit detectives recovered multiple stolen vehicles in the City of Compton as this investigation continued.
In addition to auto thefts, four commercial businesses in the City of Thousand Oaks, and one in Los Angeles County were broken into during the early morning hours of November 20th, 2024, in which surveillance video showed three suspects unlawfully breaking into closed businesses before fleeing with US currency. Through investigative resources, Special Enforcement Unit Detectives recognized an involved suspect as the same juvenile suspect involved in recent auto thefts.
On the morning of November 22nd, 2024, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and Los Angeles Police Department detectives worked together to serve search warrants at two locations in the City of Compton. Quinones was located and arrested at his residence. The male juvenile was located and arrested near his residence after a short foot chase. A search of both residences revealed evidence connecting them both to auto thefts, as well as the juvenile to commercial burglaries.
Quinones was booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility on charges of 10851(a)CVC, Felony Unlawful Taking of a Vehicle, 182(a)(1) PC, Felony Conspiracy to Commit a Crime, 466PC, Possession of Burglary Tools, and a felony warrant out of Orange County for 10851(a)CVC, Felony Unlawful Taking of a Vehicle. Quinones remains in custody with a bail amount of $350,000 and is scheduled to appear in Ventura County Superior Court on November 25th, 2024, at 1:30pm.
The male juvenile was booked into the Ventura County Juvenile Justice Center with a court date pending, on charges of 10851(a)CVC, Felony Unlawful Taking of a Vehicle, 182(a)(1) PC, Felony Conspiracy to Commit a Crime, 466PC, Possession of Burglary Tools, and 459PC, Felony Burglary. Detectives anticipate more arrests and the recovery of additional stolen vehicles as this investigation continues.
The Thousand Oaks Police Department would like to remind citizens to be aware of your surroundings and report suspicious people and vehicles unfamiliar to your area by promptly calling 911 or our non-emergency line (805) 654-9511. If you see something, say something.
Join us in the fight on crime by following us on Twitter @ThousandOaksPD, Facebook @ Thousand Oaks Police Department, Instagram @ThousandOaksPD, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories.
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