Suspect Arrested on Suspicion of Kidnapping and Sexual Assault
September 10, 2025 – Ventura County Sheriff’s Office officials report that Hector Prado was arrested by detectives with the Ventura County 
Sheriff’s Office Thousand Oaks Sexual Assault Unit for suspicion of kidnapping and sexual assault.
On September 7th, 2025, a Sheriff’s patrol sergeant was patrolling the area of Rancho Road at Thousand Oaks Boulevard, when he encountered a female victim standing in the roadway flagging him down. The sergeant contacted the victim and learned that she had been kidnapped and driven to a remote area by the suspect in an apparent attempt to commit a sexual assault. After a brief, but violent struggle with the suspect, she was able to escape from the suspect’s vehicle and relate information about the unknown male assailant. Sexual Assault Unit Detectives later identified the suspect as Hector Prado, a resident of Thousand Oaks.
Sexual Assault Unit Detectives authored a search warrant and served the warrant at Prado’s residence in the 100 block of Tennyson Street in Thousand Oaks. During the warrant service, Prado was located inside the residence and arrested for felony violations of 207(a) PC – Kidnapping, 236 PC – False Imprisonment by Violence, 220 PC – Assault with the Intent to Commit Rape, 289(a)(1) PC – Sexual Penetration with Force. Prado was transported and booked into custody at the Pre-trial Detention Facility in Ventura. Prado’s bail was set at $500,000 and his arraignment in Ventura Superior Court is scheduled for September 9th, 2025.
Due to the nature of this investigation, detectives believe there may be additional victim(s) or witnesses and encourage anyone with information to contact the Sheriff’s Thousand Oaks Sexual Assault Unit, Detective Amanda Salas at (805) 371-8397 or amanda.salas@venturacounty.gov. Callers can remain anonymous by contacting Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
Nature of Incident: Suspect Arrested on Suspicion of Kidnapping and Sexual Assault
Report Number: 25-114136
Location: 100 block of Tennyson Street, Thousand Oaks
Date & Time: September 7, 2025 @ 6:15 pm
Unit(s) Responsible: East County Sexual Assault Unit, Thousand Oaks Special Enforcement Unit, Thousand Oaks Directed Enforcement Unit, and Thousand Oaks Patrol Services
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(V) Adult, Female Thousand Oaks 20
(S) Prado, Hector Romeo Lopez Thousand Oaks 25
Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to a $1,000 reward for information, which leads to 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 & photo: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office
