By Redaccion
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A suspect involved in multiple agricultural burglaries was arrested Thursday night while attempting to burglarize a business on the 3800 block of Doris Avenue in unincorporated Oxnard.
According to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, deputies from the Headquarters Patrol Station responded to a burglary alarm around 11:30 p.m. Upon arrival, officers discovered Erick Lee inside the business. Lee tried to flee the scene, but after a brief foot chase, deputies apprehended him.
An inspection of the business revealed several areas where Lee had forced entry by kicking down doors and damaging locks to access various rooms. With the help of a business representative who arrived in response to the alarm, deputies identified stolen items in Lee’s possession.
Lee was arrested on multiple charges, including burglary, vandalism, resisting arrest, and drug-related offenses. Investigators also recovered burglary tools used in the break-in.
The quick response by deputies and the presence of the alarm system were key in stopping the burglary and securing Lee’s arrest, the sheriff’s office said.
Lee was booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility, with bail set at $10,000.
The incident comes amid a rise in burglaries and thefts targeting Ventura County’s agricultural sector in 2024. In response to the uptick, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office urges businesses to strengthen security by installing alarms, cameras, and lights. Officials also recommend storing valuable items in secure locations, out of easy reach.
The sheriff’s office advises residents to keep track of serial numbers for high-value possessions, including bicycles. Investigators routinely check for stolen property using these numbers to return recovered items to their owners and aid in prosecuting offenders.
