– By F. Scott Faulkner
THOUSAND OAKS, CA — April 8, 2026 – A retail theft in Thousand Oaks escalated into a brief vehicle pursuit on the afternoon of April
3 ending with two Los Angeles County men in custody and a stolen handgun recovered.
According to Ventura County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Det. Sgt. Dillan Alvarez, deputies
were first called around 4 p.m. to a business in Thousand Oaks after two men “left the store
without paying for concealed merchandise.”
Responding deputies quickly located the suspects as
they attempted to leave the area in a vehicle. When deputies tried to stop them, the driver refused
to yield, triggering a short pursuit that was later called off “due to concerns for public safety.”
Detectives located the same vehicle traveling north on Highway 23. Cops followed the suspects into the San Fernando Valley, where
Hassan James, 46, and Charles Davis, 47, both residents of Lancaster were safely taken into
custody.”
The immediately ensuing search of their vehicle turned up merchandise believed to have been
stolen from multiple Ventura County stores.
While that vehicle search was being conducted, California Highway Patrol units recovered a handgun, magazine, and ammunition “along the
shoulder of Highway 101.” The weapon was later confirmed stolen in a prior residential burglary
in Lancaster.
Both James and Davis were transported to Ventura County Jail where they were charged with
organized retail theft, evading a peace officer and possession of burglary tools.
