Big Rise in Thefts in Camarillo : Crime: Police say the city’s affluence and easy access from the freeway may be luring robbers from out of town.

A dramatic increase in thefts this year from Camarillo homes, businesses and cars has prompted concern among merchants and City Council members in the quiet bedroom community.

By the end of November, the number of reported felony burglaries and thefts had surpassed the 1990 year-end total by 50%, Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputy Glenn Sander said. Last year, there were 640 such cases, compared to 960 as of last month, he said.

Law enforcement officials around the county suggested that out-of-town thieves may be traveling to Camarillo, since rates of similar crimes in Ventura, Oxnard and Santa Paula have remained fairly stable. With an affluent population and easy access from the Ventura Freeway, Camarillo is vulnerable prey, they said.

“A lot of people hop in cars and drive up here,” Sander said, speculating that thieves might be commuting from Los Angeles County. “The whole nature of the crooks now is that they move from area to area.”

Sander said crimes committed by 10 to 15 young, local burglars caught last summer probably contributed to the statistical surge.

Frustrated merchants said they are well aware of the problem.

Lin Anderson, owner of More to Hug Fashions 16+ in Los Posas Plaza, said her clothing store for large women was hit twice last month after 10 years of virtually trouble-free business.

“I think it’s just maddening,” Anderson said.

“You kind of feel like a sitting duck.”

Three times in the past month and a half, Whitehall Clothiers has had about $300 in clothing stolen after eight years with only the occasional sweater stuffed into a customer’s purse.

“These people are taking as much as they can,” said Keith White, owner of the Arneill Road store.

“I think we have to grow up out here in the country,” White said. “Not think we’re so safe.”

News of the crime surge comes as the Sheriff’s Department is launching a Camarillo chapter of Ventura County Crime Stoppers, which encourages residents to call in anonymous tips on crime for up to a $1,000 reward if a conviction results.

The number for the Camarillo hot line, which will be staffed around the clock, is 987-TALK. Thousand Oaks, Moorpark and Port Hueneme also have chapters.

“I think (the crime increase) has been what has motivated Camarillo to get involved in the Crime Stoppers program,” said G.S. (Gib) Poiry, president of the board of directors for Ventura County Crime Stoppers.

Camarillo Vice Mayor Charlotte Craven, who said she has been monitoring the number of thefts in monthly police reports, said she was surprised because Camarillo traditionally has been a safe, relaxed city.

“We’re going to have to step up some educational programs,” Craven said, adding that residents will have to start being more careful. “They’re going to have to start double-checking and locking their windows.”

Thefts so far this year included about $45,000 worth of Clairol hair products taken from two 45-foot trailers in March and recovered a week later in a Los Angeles County warehouse. Burglars also took a reported $26,000 in jewelry from an unlocked house on Ashwood Court.

Craven said she expects attacking crime will be on the agenda at the council’s January goal-setting session, at which each city department and City Council member outlines plans for the year.

“I will certainly be asking for some reports from the police for the council” to see if the numbers point to a trend or just a statistical blip, Mayor Stanley J. Daily said on learning of the statistics.

Another contributing factor to the Camarillo problem could be that fewer people are going to jail for misdemeanor thefts, which has aggravated crime problems throughout the Southland, said Assistant Sheriff Richard Bryce.

“When you stop locking up the minor offenders, your property crimes increase,” he said, describing the Camarillo figures as alarming.

Port Hueneme also has seen an increase in felony property crimes, with 396 by the end of October compared to 372 during all of 1990.