Grand Theft Arrest
February 2, 2026 – Ventura County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on January 8, 2026, Deputies assigned to the 
city of Thousand Oaks responded to a call for service in reference to a grand theft that had occurred at an instrumental shop located in the 1500 block of E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. in the City of Thousand Oaks. Deputies on scene determined that an unknown male suspect had stolen a guitar with a retail value over $4,000.00.
After receiving the case, detectives with the East County Investigations Bureau – Property Crimes Unit conducted follow up into the theft and discovered the male suspect had conspired with a second unidentified subject who was waiting in a vehicle parked on a nearby cross street. Through various investigative techniques, and collaboration with local and out of state resources, investigators were able to identify the suspects as Steven Smith and Jenalle Smith, a married couple who had been arrested for similar crimes outside of State of California.
On January 26, 2026, detectives located Steven and Jenalle in a motor home parked in a hotel parking lot in the city of Lake Forest, California. Inside the motorhome, detectives located the stolen guitar from January 8, 2026, in the city of Thousand Oaks, along with several other guitars believed to have been stolen from various locations in Southern California.
Both suspects were taken into custody and later booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility for Penal Code Sections 487(a) – Grand Theft, and 182(a)(1) PC - Conspiracy. Their bail was set at $20,000 and they are scheduled to appear at the Ventura County Superior Court on January 28, 2026, at 1:30 P.M. Additionally, Steven Smith has multiple out of state arrest warrants for his involvement in similar crimes.
The Thousand Oaks Police Department encourages residents to be vigilant when shopping. Be aware of your surroundings and if you notice unlawful activity, call 911 for emergencies or (805) 654-9511 for non-emergencies. Join us in the fight on crime by following us on Twitter @ThousandOaksPD, Facebook @Thousand Oaks Police Department, Instagram @ThousandOaksPD, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories.
|
Nature of Incident: |
Grand Theft Arrest |
||
|
Report Number: |
26-3711 |
||
|
Location: |
1500 block of Thousand Oaks Blvd., City of Thousand Oaks |
||
|
Date & Time: |
01/08/2026 @ 14:50 PM |
||
|
Unit(s) Responsible: |
East County Investigations Bureau – Property Crimes Unit |
||
|
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent |
City of Residence |
Age |
|
|
(S) Steven Jude Smith |
Los Angeles, Ca |
37 |
|
Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to a $1,000 reward for information, which leads to arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
Source: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office
