Five teen suspects were arrested in connection with a violent gang-related assault that left two people hospitalized in Thousand Oaks.
The suspects were identified by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office as:
- Jefferson Lima, 18, of Thousand Oaks
- Jeremy Platz, 18, of Thousand Oaks
- Male juvenile, 17, of Thousand Oaks
- Male juvenile, 16, of Thousand Oaks
- Male juvenile, 16, of Simi Valley
On April 17, deputies responded to an assault inside a business in the 400 block of North Moorpark Road at 9:30 p.m.
The group of teens had chased a victim into a local business and assaulted him inside the store. At least one suspect used a sharp-edged weapon to injure the victim, deputies said.
During the violent confrontation, a store employee who attempted to intervene was also attacked by the suspect wielding the sharp weapon.
The group of teens fled the store before deputies arrived. The victims were treated at a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Following an investigation, the next day, Platz and a juvenile suspect were found in the 200 block of East Wilbur Road. Both attempted to flee from detectives, but were eventually captured.
On the same day, Lima was located at his residence. While searching the home, detectives reportedly found significant evidence related to the assault.
The two remaining juvenile suspects were also found and arrested shortly after. All five teenagers are documented members of a local criminal street gang, authorities confirmed.
Platz and Lima were arrested for assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury, conspiracy to commit a crime, and street terrorism. Both remain in custody on $500,000 bail.
The three juvenile suspects were booked into the Ventura County Juvenile Justice Center on similar charges, with a court date pending. The victims’ identities were not released and the motive behind the attack remains under investigation.
“The Thousand Oaks Police Department takes a zero-tolerance stance against gang violence and encourages anyone with information regarding criminal or gang activity to notify Sheriff’s Dispatch by calling 911 or 805-654-9511 in non-emergencies,” the sheriff’s department said.
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