Nature of Incident: Lost Cell Phone Leads to Arrest of Serial Burglar. Report Number: 17-115622 & 17-116258
Location: 1800 Block of West Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA
Date & Time: August 24, 2017 @ 0700
Unit Responsible: Thousand Oaks Special Enforcement Unit
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, City of Residence Age
(S) Cesar Ramirez Thousand Oaks 23
Narrative: On August 4, 2017, Deputies from the Thousand Oaks Police Department responded to a residential burglary report in the 1800 block of West Hillcrest Drive. The victim reported sometime during the day, an unknown suspect(s) entered his residence and stole several items. While processing the scene, the home owner pointed out a cellular phone that appeared to have been left behind by the suspect(s).
Deputies collected the phone as evidence and turned the case over to the Special Enforcement Unit. Investigators obtained a search warrant for the cellular phone and located texts and photographs that identified the phone’s owner as 23-year-old Cesar Ramirez. Investigators examined the photographs and found some of the pictures depicted items that matched the description of items taken during an August 3rd burglary. That burglary also occurred in the 1800 Block of West Hillcrest.
On August 24, 2017, Thousand Oaks investigators served a search warrant at Ramirez’ Thousand Oaks residence. Investigators developed additional information and were able to arrest Ramirez for both residential burglaries. Ramirez, who is on parole for Grand Theft Auto and a documented Moorpark gang member, was booked into the Ventura County Jail.
He is scheduled to be arraigned on Monday, August 28, 2017. Investigators believe Ramirez is responsible for several other Thousand Oaks residential burglaries and expect to arrest him on additional burglary counts.
Residential burglaries continue to be an issue throughout Southern California. The Thousand Oaks Police Department wants to remind residents to lock their houses and secure firearms and other valuable items inside of a large safe. Residents are also reminded to stay vigilant and immediately report suspicious activity to law enforcement.
Prepared by: Detective Joseph Horswill
Media Release Date: August 24, 2017
Media Follow-Up Contact: Detective Joseph Horswill 805-371-8337 / [email protected]
Approved by: Captain Bill Schierman
Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477). ###
