THOUSAND OAKS : 2 Sought in Armed Robbery at Theater

A teen-ager and a young man robbed a Thousand Oaks theater at gunpoint and escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash, Ventura County sheriff’s deputies reported Monday.

Employees at the Conejo Twin Theater in Janss Mall were cleaning up after closing at about 11 p.m. Sunday when a youth tapped on the front glass doors, said Sheriff’s Detective Frank O’Hanlon.

When an employee went to the door, the youth showed a small black handgun and demanded to be let in, O’Hanlon said.

An employee opened the door, and the gunman and another man came inside and took an undisclosed amount of cash from the till, he said. Then they went to the safe--which was open at the time while employees worked on the night deposit--and took more cash, O’Hanlon said.

Witnesses told police the two robbers fled on foot and were last seen running west on Hillcrest Drive.

Sheriff’s deputies arrived within minutes, but were unable to find the two.

Witnesses told police the first suspect was a white youth of about 16, with a medium build, about 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighing about 170 pounds. He had hazel eyes, and the hood of his black jacket was pulled over his head, O’Hanlon said.

The second was a heavily-built white man about 27 years old, standing 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weighing about 220 pounds. He had brown hair and hazel eyes and was wearing a gray baseball cap, dark-framed glasses and dark clothing, O’Hanlon said.

Ventura County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the robbers. Anonymous tips will be taken at 494-TALK in Thousand Oaks and Moorpark.