Last Friday, authorities in Ventura County apprehended a suspect linked to two recent residential burglaries in the Thousand Oaks area. Michael Pruitt, a 29-year-old from Victorville, was arrested following an investigation by the East County Investigations Bureau, East County Special Enforcement Unit, and Thousand Oaks Police Directed Enforcement Unit into burglaries that occurred in late August, as confirmed by the Ventura County Sheriff's Office.
The suspect was apprehended in Victorville and faces charges with bail set at $50,000. Despite the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office’s ongoing efforts to combat such crimes, residents are urged to remain vigilant, as burglars often target unoccupied homes near open spaces. The allegations against Pruitt, who was on state parole for prior burglary convictions, include forcibly entering and stealing property from homes on Longfellow Street and Parkview Drive on August 25 and 27, respectively, as reported by the Ventura County Sheriff's Office. Upcoming, the accused is scheduled for arraignment in Ventura County Superior Court today.
These crime prevention tips aim to reduce opportunistic break-ins by reminding residents to lock doors and windows, watch for suspicious activity—especially unusual vehicle movement—and report anything out of the ordinary to Sheriff’s Dispatch at (805) 654-9511. The department also encourages staying informed through social media updates on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Nixle.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office states that Crime Stoppers is offering up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest in this case. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477).
