Possession of Narcotics and Stolen Firearms 

October 16, 2024 – Ventura County Sheriff's Office officials report that on October 10, 2024, at approximately 5:00 A.M. (0500 hours), a Thousand Oaks Directed Enforcement Unit (DEU) detective conducted a traffic stop for a moving violation. The driver, identified as Steven Gillespie, was the sole occupant of the vehicle. During a records check, the detective discovered that Gillespie had an active misdemeanor warrant and was subject to a court order prohibiting him from owning or possessing firearms. Further investigation revealed that Gillespie was in possession of controlled substances, drug paraphernalia, a handgun, and approximately 3,500 rounds of ammunition. Additional evidence in the vehicle suggested he may have access to more firearms.

At approximately 7:00 A.M. (0700 hours), DEU detectives contacted the registered owner of the handgun found with Gillespie. The owner was unaware the firearm had been stolen, and it was later discovered that a shotgun and two rifles were also stolen from the owner’s residence. Using various law enforcement investigative techniques, DEU detectives were able to locate and recover all the stolen firearms.

Steven Gillespie was arrested for the following charges below:

PC 148.9 (a) / Giving false information to a peace officer

PC 487 (d)(2) / Grand theft of a firearm

PC 25400 (a)(1) / Carry a concealed firearm within a vehicle

PC 29825 (a) / Buy/Receive a firearm against a court order

PC 25850 (a) / Carrying a loaded firearm

PC 27545 / Unlawful transfer of firearm

HS 11350 (a) / Possession of a controlled substance

HS 11377 (a) / Possession of controlled substance

HS 11364 (a) / Possession of drug paraphernalia

HS 11370.1 (a) / Possession of a controlled substance with a firearm

Gillespie was transported and booked into the Pre-trial Detention Facility in Ventura, California.  Gillespie’s bail was set at $105,000.00 and had a court date on 10/14/24 for arraignment.

DEU is comprised of eight detectives, who focus on protecting East County communities by actively investigating illegal activities by conducting intelligence led policing with a focus on identifying and arresting prolific offenders. If you have any information about illegal activity in the East County areas in the Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction, please contact Senior Deputy Jonathan San Jose at 805-371-8388.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the public for their on-going support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes. We are better at what we do because of our community partnerships.

Join us in the fight on crime by following us on Twitter @ThousandOaksPD, Facebook @Thousand Oaks Police Department, Instagram @ThousandOaksPD, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories.

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to a $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).

Source: Ventura County Sheriff's Office