Four people were arrested in connection with the theft of about $10,000 worth of Dodgers and Lakers gear at a Dick’s Sporting Goods store in Thousand Oaks.
Three men entered the store Monday night, grabbed about 100 items, including Dodgers and Lakers jerseys, and left without paying, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department told NBC4 Investigates. The investigation unfolded when a witness called law enforcement officers and provided a description of the three men and a getaway driver, and their vehicle’s license plate information.
Ventura County deputies pulled the car over in a traffic stop and worked with deputies reviewing security camera video from the store to help identify the suspects. Stolen items from the store were recovered inside the car, the sheriff’s department said.
Authorities said they are investigating whether the men are part of a crime ring behind the thefts of about $100,000 worth of merchandise at Southern California sporting goods stores.
The Thousand Oaks case remains under investigation and will be submitted to prosecutors for consideration of criminal charges.
Anyone with information about the theft was as to call the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Organized Retail Theft Unit at 805-383-8703.