THOUSAND OAKS : 3rd Store Falls to Perfume Thieves

Since June, thieves have stolen nearly $3,000 worth of brand-name perfumes and fragrances from three Thousand Oaks stores, leaving behind hardly a whiff of evidence.

The latest victim was Ross Dress for Less on Moorpark Road, where burglars took $980 worth of perfume last Wednesday, Detective Stan Weber of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department said. They tripped the alarm when they pried open a front door about 4:30 a.m., but fled before sheriff’s deputies arrived.

“They had to come in quick, grab and run,” Weber said.

Over the weekend of Aug. 22-23, as many as 35 bottles were stolen from a locked display case at Thrifty Drug Store in the North Ranch Mall. Weber said the fragrances were valued at $1,600.

Employees who discovered the loss on Aug. 23 said the case had been stocked the previous day. Weber said the thief might have had a key to the cabinet because there was no sign of forced entry.

Taken were such brands as Opium, Giorgio Red, Nocturnes de Caron and Cher.

In June, a shoplifter eluded employees of Sav-On Drugs on North Moorpark Road, fleeing on foot with about $350 worth of fragrances in a bag.

Although the thefts were carried out in very different fashions, Weber said he suspects a possible ring.

“Normally we’d say no, they’re not connected. But sometimes a ring comes along and works an area. It’s hard to say if it’s a group or just individual people.”

Weber said thieves may have a good nose for quick profits. A small bottle of Opium eau de toilette, for instance, sells for more than $32 in a store but could be sold quickly at a flea market for $15.

“That’s a nice profit for these people,” Weber said.

The Ventura County Crime Stoppers Program is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information on the thefts.