Suspected Gang Spree Capped by 2 Arrests

Sheriff’s deputies said Tuesday they are hoping that the arrest of two suspected gang members in Thousand Oaks will halt an ongoing retaliation between two gangs.

On Sunday, six people were injured in a five-car pileup on Avenida de Los Arboles that authorities said was caused by two cars driven by rival gang members. One car was chasing the other when both ran a red light, triggering the accident, deputies said.

Deputies suspect there was a drive-by shooting involving the same two gangs in the vicinity of Sunday’s accident.

And on Monday, two suspected gang members were arrested in connection with another incident, deputies said.

Dwain Allen Deeder, 21, of Thousand Oaks remained in County Jail and a 17-year-old boy in juvenile hall Tuesday, where they are being held on suspicion of throwing a vice grip at a rival gang’s car on Avenida de Los Arboles, deputies said. Deputies suspect a third gang member was also involved.

According to deputies, Deeder and two accomplices cut in front of a rival gang member’s car and threw a vice grip at the car before fleeing. There were no injuries, and the victims failed to report the incident. Deputies learned of it through eyewitnesses.