Authorities in Thousand Oaks have cracked down on a series of grand thefts following the recent arrest of a Los Angeles couple, identified as Steven Jude Smith, 37, and Jenalle Jena Smith, 35. The duo, implicated in similar prior offenses out of California, are now facing charges including grand theft and conspiracy for allegedly stealing a high-value guitar among other instruments.
Details provided by Nixle report that detectives from the East County Investigations Bureau – Property Crimes Unit were able to not only recover the stolen guitar, valued over $4,000, but also found additional suspected stolen goods within the Smiths' motorhome. Following their arrest on January 26 in Lake Forest, California, the suspects were booked and held on $20,000 bail each, with a court appearance scheduled for January 28.
The original theft, which took place on January 8 at a music shop on E. Thousand Oaks Blvd, prompted an investigation that revealed a coordinated effort by the Smiths. Steven was reportedly inside the store while Jenalle waited in a getaway vehicle, a method recognized by officers as a common tactic in such crimes. Investigators employed "various investigative techniques" and cooperated with "local and out of state resources" to corner the perpetrators, authorities said in a statement prepared by Sergeant Richard LaSecla.
Ventura County law enforcement urges the public to remain alert and report suspicious activities. The Thousand Oaks Police Department advises on the importance of being aware of one's surroundings while shopping and specifies proper channels for reporting emergencies and non-emergencies alike. They continue to encourage community involvement through their social media outlets on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and the Nixle alert service, to collectively help deter crime.
In the ongoing effort to apprehend those responsible for these thefts, Ventura County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest and criminal complaint. Tipsters can maintain anonymity, and the call is not recorded, ensuring discretion for those who choose to come forward. The hotline for Crime Stoppers is 800-222-TIPS (8477), as echoed by the police department's recent release.
