CAUGHT—Above, the getaway vehicle after it finally came to a halt in Calabasas’ Deer Springs neighborhood. Courtesy of Ventura County Sheriff’s Office
Five teens from Los Angeles were arrested last week after allegedly robbing two customers at The Oaks mall and then leading deputies on a vehicle pursuit through Thousand Oaks, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
Just before 4 p.m. June 27, a 79-year-old Camarillo man and a 77-year-old Westlake Village woman called 911 to report that they had been punched and then robbed while inside Macy’s Men’s and Home, the sheriff’s office said in a news release.
The male victim reported his high-end watch was stolen from his wrist, and the female victim said her purse was taken. Both were treated for minor injuries at Los Robles Medical Center, police said.
Deputies located the alleged thieves in a green sedan near the southbound 101 Freeway and Lynn Road. VCSO said when the deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop, the driver failed to yield, initiating the pursuit.
Deputies said they immediately recovered a handgun, found to be stolen, that was thrown out of the vehicle during the chase.
the handgun that the suspects threw out of the car.
The pursuit from Thousand Oaks to Calabasas ended when the vehicle turned into a dead-end street at Raven Court and Cottonwood Grove Trail in the Deer Springs neighborhood of Calabasas, the sheriff’s office said.
One person remained at the scene and was taken into custody, while the other four suspects fled on foot, police said.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Air Unit, California Highway Patrol and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department searched the area, and the four outstanding suspects were caught.
Deputies said one of the people was in possession of the stolen watch.
Three juvenile suspects—a 13-yearold girl and two 17-year-old boys—were arrested on suspicion of robbery, conspiracy to commit a crime and elder abuse as well as various firearm charges, records show. They were taken to the Ventura County Juvenile Center. Their identities were not released due to their age,
The two adult suspects—Corey Thomas and Jonathan Requejo, both 18—were booked at the Ventura County Main Jail.
In court July 1, both men pleaded not guilty to two counts each of second-degree robbery, elder abuse and theft from an elder and one count each of conspiracy to commit a crime.
Thomas also pleaded not guilty to one count each of carrying a loaded firearm and evading an officer.
Their early disposition conference is scheduled for July 11, and their preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 15.
They are each being held at Ventura County Main Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.