Authorities recently reported a series of arrests connected to multiple residential burglaries and auto thefts spanning across Southern California cities, according to a news release. Ventura County Sheriff’s Office disclosed that three suspects were caught after a string of thefts involving a dark-colored Nissan Xterra and stolen property from areas including Camarillo, Simi Valley, and Chatsworth.
The chain of events leading to the arrests began with a burglary report from a victim in Camarillo on December 1, with various items such as electric bikes and tools taken. Caught driving the Nissan Xterra with a stolen electric bike, Jesus Leyva, alongside Luis Alfaro, were observed by detectives involved in suspicious activity related to a stolen travel trailer. Based on the surveillance conducted by Camarillo Investigations Bureau, the suspects were arrested on December 10 after being spotted moving stolen goods in and out of the trailer, said Detective Schaum Song in the report.
The detailed operation led to the apprehension of Leyva, who was riding away on a stolen bike from a burglary. Alfaro and the third suspect, Marco Henriquez, also believed to be involved in the burglaries, were subsequently arrested as they exited the travel trailer. A search revealed more stolen items within the trailer, and authorities linked additional stolen property to the suspects including yet another stolen utility trailer from Simi Valley.
During the investigation, it was unraveled that the suspects likely conspired in committing various nearby burglaries. With Henriquez identified as a wanted parolee and considered armed and dangerous, the bail was set at $400,000 for him, while Leyva and Alfaro's bail was set at $250,000 each. The trio faces multiple charges including burglary, stolen vehicle, receiving a stolen vehicle, and conspiracy, detailed the news release.
In an effort to prevent such incidents, Ventura County Sheriff's Office encourages homeowners to secure their residences with alarms, cameras, and lights. Deterring criminals can also be helped by keeping track of serial numbers on valuable items. The Sheriff’s Office has investigators continuously searching for stolen property and uses serial numbers for identification and prosecution purposes, emphasized Detective Kenneth Ledesma, further affirming the department's commitment to property crime reduction.
