Southern California(Thechieftainspear) – A surge in graffiti vandalism tied to rival street gangs in Thousand Oaks has resulted in the arrest of seven individuals, including five minors, authorities confirmed Friday.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office said that the arrests were the outcome of a coordinated effort among several law enforcement divisions throughout March in response to a wave of gang-related tagging incidents. The graffiti spree left significant property damage estimated at over $5,000 across multiple areas of the city.
According to officials, the spike in vandalism was attributed to an ongoing turf battle between criminal street gangs marking territory through graffiti.
A joint investigation led by the East County Special Enforcement Unit, the Thousand Oaks Directed Enforcement Unit, the Moorpark Special Enforcement Unit, and local patrol officers led to the identification and apprehension of seven suspects.
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Among those taken into custody were Cesar Gonzalez, 18, of Moorpark, and Joselin Lopez, 23, of Thousand Oaks. Both adults were booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility.
The remaining five suspects are juveniles — one 13-year-old, two 16-year-olds, and two 17-year-olds — all males from Thousand Oaks. Four of the teens were transported to the Ventura County Juvenile Justice Facility, while one was released to his guardians with a written notice to appear in court.
Each of the individuals faces charges related to gang participation and graffiti vandalism.
While authorities have not disclosed details about the specific locations or types of structures targeted, they continue to urge the public to stay vigilant.
The Thousand Oaks Police Department is encouraging residents to report suspicious behavior or vehicles by calling 911 or the non-emergency line at 805-654-9511.
“If you see something, say something,” the department emphasized. “Anonymous tips are always welcome.”
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