OXNARD, Calif. — A man accused of committing a string of theft-related crimes across Ventura County has been taken into custody, authorities confirmed.
Leonel Cruz, 33, of Oxnard, was arrested on August 21 in connection with a series of burglaries, auto thefts, and property crimes that occurred between July 13 and July 26 in Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, and Oxnard.
The crime spree began on July 13, when a vehicle was reported stolen in Oxnard. Days later, on July 22, Cruz allegedly used the same stolen car to flee after shoplifting clothing from a WSS retail store in Oxnard.
Then on July 24, Cruz was reportedly caught on surveillance video stealing items from a garage on Paseo De La Paz in Thousand Oaks.
Two days later, on July 26, cameras at a ranch property in Camarillo recorded Cruz driving onto the grounds and allegedly stealing $4,000 worth of equipment.
After identifying Cruz as the suspect, investigators with the Camarillo Investigation Bureau and the Ventura County Auto Theft Task Force tracked him down and arrested him outside a business on Saviers Road in Oxnard. At the time of his arrest, Cruz was driving a different vehicle. The original stolen car was recovered separately, officials noted.
Cruz was booked into the Ventura County Main Jail on multiple charges, including:
First-degree residential burglary
Grand theft
Auto theft
Possession of a stolen motor vehicle
Authorities also confirmed Cruz had an outstanding felony warrant in Ventura County.
The investigation remains active, and further charges may be filed.
