Los Angeles residents Axel Reyes, 20, and Kevin Cruz, 21, were taken into custody this week on charges including conspiracy to commit a crime, theft from vehicles, and identity theft, after a month-long investigation by the Thousand Oaks Detective Bureau, according to a news release from the Ventura County Sheriff's Office. The operation was a collaboration among the Property Crimes Unit, the Career Criminal Unit, and the Major crime Unit, which culminated in the arrests of the two suspects following over 20 reported thefts from unlocked vehicles in the Conejo Hills neighborhood.
The thefts, which occurred on June 1, targeted personal belongings such as cash, credit cards, and personal identifying information, which were then used at various locations around Los Angeles; the investigators used evidence obtained from the theft locations, suspect descriptions, and the vehicle they reportedly used to identify Reyes and Cruz. In executing the search warrant at Cruz's home, authorities found items linking him to the thefts, which ultimately led to both suspects being apprehended on July 15, the official report details.
Senior Deputy Kevin Walters prepared the report with a news release date of July 17th, affirming that detectives found substantial evidence at Cruz' residence connecting him to the crime spree. "Cruz was booked into the Ventura County Jail for theft, identity theft, criminal conspiracy, and possession of personal information," according to the release, additionally noting that Reyes faced similar charges. Both men are currently held on $200,000 bail, pending further legal proceedings.
Ventura County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest and criminal complaint against those responsible for these offenses, an initiative that underscores the ongoing effort to curtail property and identity theft within the community; informants have the option to remain anonymous by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477) and are not recorded, as the agency's commitment to privacy and the effectiveness of crime prevention is echoed in their policies, as outlined in the press statement endorsed by Captain Timothy Lanquist.
