Two Los Angeles residents believed tied to thefts across Southern California were arrested and accused of attempting to take goods from multiple shops at the Camarillo Premium Outlets last month, authorities said.
The Ventura County Sheriff's Office said one of the pair, a 27-year-old woman, had been on the agency's radar since May when she is believed to have been part of a separate duo who stole from the outlets.
At that time, deputies responded to a theft in progress at the Camarillo shopsand tried to pull over their vehicle, according to an agency news release. Instead, the driver headed onto Highway 101 south, reaching speeds upward of 100 mph.
The pursuit was called off in Thousand Oaks because of the dangerous speed and the distraction of the passengers
tossing items out of the vehicle, sheriff's officials said. The vehicle was eventually found empty in Thousand Oaks.
Sheriff's detectives later identified the woman as one of the alleged thieves, and she and another person are believed to be tied to string of thefts in Ventura, Los Angeles, Kern and San Bernardino counties, according to the agency.
On July 23, the same vehicle used in the May thefts was spotted at the Camarillo outlets again, and the woman was identified as the driver, sheriff's officials said in the release. A man, later described as a 28-year-old, was seen working with the woman.
She was arrested after she left her vehicle. The man was arrested in a nearby store, sheriff's officials said. During a vehicle search, deputies said they found about $4,500 in stolen property.
The woman and man have since been charged with felony conspiracy to commit a crime and several felony special allegations.
The woman appeared in Ventura County Superior Court Aug. 5 and pleaded not guilty to her conspiracy charge and denied all special allegations, according to court records. She has been released from Ventura County jail and is scheduled to return to court Aug. 10.
The man arrested with her July 23 was later charged with felony conspiracy and other felony special allegations. He also pleaded not guilty and denied the special allegations Aug. 5, court records show. He is set to appear in court Aug. 10.
Sheriff's detectives said they were still searching for the other alleged thief in the May chase.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: 2 arrests at Camarillo outlets believed tied to thefts across region
