August 27, 2025 – Ventura County Sheriff’s Office officials report that the Camarillo Investigation Bureau, in collaboration with the Ventura County Auto Theft Task Force (VenCATT) have arrested a suspect connected to a series of property crimes across Ventura County. The crimes include a residential burglary in Thousand Oaks, grand theft at an agricultural site in Camarillo, and both auto and property theft in Oxnard.

July 13, 2025 - A vehicle was reported stolen in the city of Oxnard. Following an investigation, detectives identified Leonel Cruz as a driver of the stolen vehicle.

July 22, 2025 - The WSS Retail Store in Oxnard reported the theft of clothing. Cruz was identified as the suspect and used the stolen vehicle as his getaway car.

July 24, 2025 - A resident in the 4400 block of Paseo De La Paz in Thousand Oaks reported a burglary in progress. Surveillance footage captured Cruz entering an open garage, stealing property, and fleeing in the stolen vehicle.

July 26, 2025 - A grand theft occurred at a ranch facility in an unincorporated area of Camarillo. Surveillance video showed Cruz and the stolen vehicle unlawfully entering the locked property and stealing approximately $4,000 worth of equipment.

August 21, 2025 - VenCATT Detectives and Camarillo Detectives located and arrested Cruz outside a business on Saviers Road in Oxnard. At the time of his arrest, Cruz was driving a different vehicle.

The stolen vehicle was located at a separate time and recovered.

Cruz was booked at Ventura County Main Jail on the following charges: Penal Code 459 – First Degree Residential Burglary, Penal Code 487(a) – Grand Theft, Vehicle Code 10851(a) – Auto Theft, Penal Code 496d(a) – Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle. Additionally, Cruz had an outstanding felony arrest warrant issued by Ventura County.

Source: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office