Moorpark Police Arrest Suspected Prowler

Ventura County Sheriff's deputies on Monday arrested a Moorpark man on a number of counts including burglary and possession of illegal drugs, according to a statement issued by the department Tuesday evening.

Police believe Michael Bennett, 24, to be the prowler a neighbor reported to be looking into the windows of a residence in the 3900 block of Weeping Willow Drive in the Peach Hill area of Moorpark at about 6 a.m. When patrol deputies responded at the report, they found Bennett in the front yard of a nearby residence and, after a brief investigation, they arrested him for prowling and possession of a controlled substance, according to the statement.

Upon further investigation, deputies discovered that earlier that morning, two homes had been broken into—possibly by reaching through pet doors and unlocking rear sliding glass doors—and property was taken while the homeowners were inside sleeping. Deputies also learned of several other residences in the neighborhood where they believe someone had attempted to commit burglaries.

Through investigation, they linked Bennett to the burglaries and the stolen property was recovered, according to the statement.

Bennett was booked at the county's main jail for counts of residential burglary, attempted residential burglary, possession of illegal drugs and being under the influence of illegal drugs and is currently in custoday in lieu of $250,000 bail, the statement said.