A suspect has been arrested in connection with a commercial burglary in Westlake, California. According to a news release from the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, 27-year-old Elijah Alford Nurse of Camarillo is facing charges after allegedly burglarizing a business on the 500 block of Hampshire Road between May 3rd and May 4th, 2025. The report says that authorities were alerted to the incident on May 5th, with over $2,100 in property reported stolen.
Following the initial discovery of the crime, detectives from the Thousand Oaks Police Department's East County Investigations Bureau took over the case. Through "modern investigative techniques and various law enforcement resources," they were able to link Nurse to the burglary. Held on unrelated charges at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura at the time, Nurse was "supplementally booked" for one count of Penal Code section 459 – [Burglary].
The investigation revealed that the suspect had likely made their way into the business via an unsecured window. From the scene, biological evidence was collected and played a key role in identifying the suspect. The Ventura County Sheriff's Office, in a statement obtained by SFist, advised that residents take "reasonable safety measures to deter crime." Such measures include the installation of security cameras or alarm systems, good lighting, and double-checking that all doors and windows are secure.
Meanwhile, Detective Brian Kuroda prepared the news release, with Captain James Sullivan approving it on Friday. Those with leads about the burglary are encouraged to remain anonymous and may contact Ventura County Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477) for a potential reward of up to $1,000. It was stressed in the news release that the greater Thousand Oaks area is known to be extremely safe, reminding citizens that occasional instances like these are exploited by the criminal element. The investigation is ongoing, and updates are expected as new information becomes available.
