Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Busts Organized Car Theft Operation, Arrests Two Suspects

Two people were arrested in Ventura County for their involvement in a coordinated vehicle theft crew operating across county lines.

On May 5, 2026, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office announced that two suspects were arrested for their ties to the vehicle theft operation that specifically targeted pickup trucks in the city of Thousand Oaks.

The Sheriff’s Office’s East County Special Enforcement Unit made the arrests.

The investigation began after two Chevrolet Silverado trucks were stolen in two separate incidents in February.

Both vehicles were stolen overnight and later recovered with extensive damage, according to authorities.

The recovered vehicles were found to have tampered-with ignitions and partially removed catalytic converters, which were clear signs of an organized theft pattern, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Dismantles Vehicle Theft Crew Operating Across County Lines https://t.co/D0baGE0v4L

— Ventura County Sheriff (@VENTURASHERIFF) May 6, 2026

Following a thorough probe, detectives identified Juan Arellano and Ricky Chavez as the primary suspects involved in the crimes. Both men from Compton in Los Angeles County are the two suspects; they are aged 46 and 40, respectively.

On April 9, detectives served a search warrant at a suspected “Chop-Shop” in the 5400 block of Gage Avenue in the City of Bell in Los Angeles County. The Sheriff’s Office said that Arellano was taken into custody without incident.

He was booked into the Ventura County Main Jail on multiple felony charges, including grand theft, possession of stolen property, and unlawful taking of a vehicle. He was later released under court-released supervision, authorities said.

During their search, investigators recovered stolen property, including another stolen vehicle and a catalytic converter that is believed to be linked to ongoing theft activity.

The investigation continued after Arellano’s arrest, leading detectives to identify more information.

Further investigation into the crimes identified Chavez as a co-conspirator. He was located on May 5 in Compton, the Sheriff’s Office said.Chavez was taken into custody after a coordinated enforcement operation.

He was booked into the Ventura County Main Jail on multiple felony charges, including grand theft, possession of stolen property, and unlawful taking of a vehicle.

Chavez was already on CDC state parole for felony assault with a deadly weapon when he was arrested in May, according to the Sheriff’s Office. He was also found to have an outstanding felony warrant from San Diego County for felony burglary.

A parole hold was placed on Chavez after he was taken into custody.

The Sheriff’s Office said the case reflects the deliberate and coordinated nature of vehicle theft crews operating throughout Ventura County.

Pointing out that the vehicle thefts were not crimes of opportunity, authorities said that the suspects were targeting certain vehicles and working together to profit from these stolen cars.

“We will continue to aggressively pursue and arrest those responsible,” the Sheriff’s Office said.

Multiple specialized units assisted in the investigation, including the East County Special Enforcement Unit, the East County Investigations Bureau, the Thousand Oaks Directed Enforcement Unit, the Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force, and the Ventura County Auto Theft Task Force.

Law enforcement agencies throughout California have seen continued thefts targeting Chevrolet Silverado models.

The Chevrolet Silverado is the most frequently stolen personal truck, according to the California Highway Patrol’s 2024 vehicle theft facts. Thieves particularly target the model years 2001, 2002, and 2006.

These cars are specifically targeted by thieves, mostly due to the high resale value of some of the spare parts. Since older Silverado models lack updated anti-theft technology, they are easier to steal.