Man on Bail for Moorpark Burglary Arrested for More County Crimes

Dennis Coleman, who was on bail for a June 11 Moorpark residential burglary, was one of three men arrested for a recent rash of Ventura County thefts last week, according to the Ventura County Sheriff's Department.

Authorities have identified three others associated with the residential burglaries.

Following is a press release issued by the Ventura County Sheriff's Department regarding the investigation:

In recent months, the City of Thousand Oaks began experiencing a rash of residential burglaries in upscale areas within the city. The burglaries were all consistent in that only jewelry, cash, and other small items were taken. The combined property loss was hundreds of thousands of dollars.

On January 20, 2012, at about 1230 hrs., three male suspects forced their way into an unoccupied residence in the 1300 Block of Doral Circle, Thousand Oaks. During the burglary, the residents returned home and the three suspects fled. A witness was able to provide a description of the vehicle along with a partial license plate. Sheriff’s dispatchers were able to establish the suspect’s vehicle was a rented Dodge SUV out of the Los Angeles area. The vehicle was rented by Merchuria Cooper out of the Los Angeles Area. City of Thousand Oaks property crime detectives took over the investigation and identified Kenneth Hall as a possible suspect. Hall, who is a documented LA gang member, was on parole for a 2005 residential burglary. He was wanted by California Department of Corrections for violating his parole terms. The California Department of Corrections listed Hall as an armed and dangerous fugitive. A background check on Hall showed he was also arrested and sent to prison in 1999 for burglarizing a residence in the Spanish Hills area of Camarillo.

In an effort to identify all the suspects in the string of burglaries, members of the Sheriff’s Gang Unit, Thousand Oaks Detectives, and a team from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Major Crimes- Metro, began a three-week investigation into Hall and his gang associates. The investigation identified a hard-core group of gang members and their girlfriends who were responsible for numerous burglaries across Southern California. All of the gang members had violent arrest records, which include murder, kidnapping, bank robbery, robbery, carjacking, and prior residential burglary arrests. The other suspects were identified as Dennis Coleman, Miles Chaissions, and Don Mosley. Investigators found that the group sold jewelry and items from their burglaries to support a lavish lifestyle for both themselves and to support girlfriends. Both Coleman and Hall appeared to be unemployed, but yet owned or rented BMW’s, Mercedes, and Jaguars vehicles. They went on extravagant shopping sprees and spent thousands of dollars at high-end nightclubs.

During the investigation, it was determined that Coleman was currently out on bail for a Moorpark residential burglary that he was arrested for in 2010. On February 2, 2012, Coleman, Hall, and Chassions drove to the City of Ventura so Coleman could attend a court date for his 2010 residential burglary case. Investigators discovered that after the court date, the three drove to the City of Camarillo and committed a residential burglary before returning to the Los Angeles area.

On February 12, 2012, at about 1800 hrs, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office investigators developed information that Chassions, Mosley and an unknown third suspect were in Pacific Palisades to commit a residential burglary. Investigators began surveillance and contacted the Los Angeles Police Department. LAPD officers intercepted the trio as they left the area and attempted to stop them. The suspects fled and evaded law enforcement in their vehicle on Pacific Coast Highway reaching speeds in excess of 100 MPH. During the pursuit, the suspects threw jewelry from the vehicle. The suspects drove to Santa Monica where they abandoned their car and fled. Don Mosley was found a short distance away and arrested. Chassions and the other suspect were able to elude police. LAPD detectives discovered the group had burglarized two residences in Pacific Palisades. Mosley was booked for burglary and evading arrest. He remains in Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Jail on $1,000,000 bail.

Later, investigators discovered that Hall and Coleman were in North Las Vegas and had obtained information that they were going to possibly commit a residential burglary. Investigators contacted North Las Vegas Police who were able to find and detain the two subjects. Hall was arrested for his parole warrant. Coleman was arrested for traffic warrants out of Nevada. Hall was booked into the North Las Vegas Jail where he remains without bail. Coleman was booked on the traffic warrant and was later released. Coleman eventually returned to the Los Angeles area.

On February 22, 2012, investigators had obtained enough evidence to arrest Coleman, Chassions, and Hall for several burglaries committed in Ventura County. In addition, investigators believed that Cooper benefitted from the proceeds of the burglaries and offered material support for their criminal activities such as renting vehicles. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies stopped Coleman and Chassions and detained them while Ventura County Sheriff’s Investigators and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Detectives served four search warrants in the Los Angeles area. During the service of the search warrants, investigators collected numerous pieces of jewelry and collector coins that appeared to be stolen. Cooper was arrested at her residence during the service of the search warrants.

When investigators served a search warrant at Dennis Coleman’s residence, they found he lived with a female named Khajana Jones. Jones was identified as a Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff. Jones was off duty and present during the search warrant. Deputies found what appeared to be stolen property in the residence and large sums of cash. Although it appears Jones did not participate in any of the burglaries, investigators believe she knew that Coleman was obtaining large sums of cash and jewelry from illegal means and was allowing him to store the proceeds at the residence.

Coleman, Cooper, Jones, and Chassions were transported to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Pre-Trial Detention Facility where they were booked for various charges including numerous counts of residential burglaries. Ventura County Sheriff’s Detectives will arrest Hall once he is extradited from Nevada.

Sheriff’s Investigators believe that Coleman, Chassions, and Hall are responsible for 7 Ventura County residential burglaries since December 1, 2011. In addition, they believe the group, including Mosley, is responsible for at least another 8 additional residential burglaries in Los Angeles and Orange Counties during that same time period. Investigators are continuing their investigation and expect to make additional arrests.

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the 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).