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On November 20, 2014, at approximately 12:48 PM, a male suspect entered the Bank of the West Branch located at 180 N. Moorpark Road in the city of Thousand Oaks. The suspect demanded money and claimed to be in possession of a gun, although no weapons were seen.

The bank teller complied with the suspect’s demands and the suspect fled the bank with an undisclosed amount of money. There were no injuries. The suspect was last seen running south through the parking lot toward Hillcrest Drive.

The suspect was described as a black male, in his late 20’s to early 30’s, approximately 5’10” tall with a medium build and weighing approximately 180 pounds. The suspect was wearing a beanie style hat, white shirt with the number “19” on the front, dark pants and red shoes.

Anyone with information regarding this robbery is encouraged to contact Detective Todd Welty at (805) 494-8224.

Nature of Incident: Thousand Oaks Bank Robbery
Report Number: 14-26413
Location: Bank of the West – 180 N. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks, Ca.
Date & Time: November 20, 2014 / 12:48 p.m.
Unit Responsible: East County Major Crimes Unit & Federal Bureau of Investigation
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(V) Bank of the West
Deputy Preparing Media Release: Detective Timothy Lohman
Media Release Date: November 20, 2014
Follow-Up Contact: Detective Todd Welty (805) 494-8224 / (805) 947-8288
Approved by: Captain Mike Hartmann

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).

City receives Gold Level Conservation Award. Tuesday night’s City Council meeting began with a presentation awarded to the City of Fillmore. A Gold Level Conservation Award was given by Energy Analyst Javier Saucedo with the Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance and Edison’s Public Affairs Anna M. Frutos-Sanchez to the City of Fillmore in recognition of energy savings by more than 10% since 2006 through retrofitting light fixtures and upgraded heating and air-conditioning. Fillmore is only the 2nd city in Ventura County to receive that high level of achievement. Mayor Manuel Minjares is pictured center.

There were three agenda items discussed at the November 18, 2014 Fillmore City Council Meeting; Adoption of a City Communication Plan, End of Fiscal Year 2013/14 General Fund carry over, and an agreement for a retail market and consumer analytic study.

The meeting began with a presentation given to the City of Fillmore. A Gold Level Conservation Award was given by Energy Analyst Javier Saucedo with the Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance and Edison's Public Affairs Anna M. Frutos-Sanchez to the City of Fillmore in recognition of energy savings by more than 10% since 2006 through retrofitting light fixtures and upgraded heating and air-conditioning. Fillmore is only the 2nd city in Ventura County to receive that high level of achievement.

Next, was a Certificate of Award to the Fillmore Women's Service Club and the Fillmore Ebell Club. The Ebell Club is celebrating its 100th anniversary, Ebell Club its 50th Anniversary. Accepting the Award were Jeanne Klittich, Susan Banks and Mimi Burns. Klittich joked that the Ebell Club's main goal is to raise money and give it to Fillmore; which includes the Police and Fire Department, Senior Center and park benches to name just a few.

The last Proclamation was given to Council Member Steve Conaway. Conaway was first elected to the City Council in 2004 and served eight years, including two years from 2007 through 2008 as Mayor. He was appointed to the Council in May 2013 to complete an unexpired term after another Council Member stepped down. Conaway served on many committees including the Finance, Water Recycling Plant, and Primary Council Liaison to North Fillmore Neighborhood Committee. He also served as Senior Center Board Liaison, Parks Commission Liaison, Veterans Memorial District, Animal Control Commission, Ground Water Committee, the Heritage Valley Tourism Bureau Board, Library Service Commission and President of the Fillmore Raiders for many years along with supporting many youth activities. Conaway spoke from the heart as he addressed those in attendance stating, "It's been an honor, I find it rewarding, but it would not have been possible without the support of my wife Camilla and family. These last two years have been rewarding. Thank you."

The Council then addressed the first agenda item; the adoption of a City Communication Plan. The Plan was proposed earlier this year to improve communication and distribution of information between the City and its residents. The Plan was unanimously approved by all Council Members.

The next agenda item came with some very good news; the General Fund has a net positive of $2,430,000 with revenue exceeding expenditures by that amount! After adjusting for a negative carryover of a $218,000 shortfall from the fiscal year 2012/13 is deducted, Fillmore is left with an estimated $2,210,000 in the General Fund.

The goal of the City Council is to maintain 40% of the General Fund Expense Budget in a reserve account. With some of this added surplus and if the economy and those factors that generate revenue for Fillmore continue to keep the City in the black, the goal of 40% will be reached in a few years. The present revenue surplus is allowing for some items that were not included in the latest Budget. Those items include funding the Towne Theatre ($20,000), Recreation ($80,000) and the Community Pool ($200,000). Also included, and with a great deal of discussion by the Council, was capital investments and one-time-only-funding projects. Projects to be funded include; information technology equipment replacement ($95,000), new website ($45,000), retail/economic study ($43,000), vacation/compensation time buy back ($120,000) and rescue squad (4230,000).

The City must upgrade its outdated phone system and network backup system to be compatible with the most resent technology systems, provide a firewall to protect residents information and add Wifi to City Hall. The City's website also needs updating.

The vacation/compensation time buy-back is a significant liability for the City if paid back at the time an employee either resigns or retires due to their increase in pay at that time. Employees will be encouraged to sell back their time at their current pay saving the City a larger liability later on.

The final item is an analytic study to develop a Retail Economic Plan for Fillmore. The company chosen is Retail Coach. They will analyze the area and evaluate retail markets in surrounding communities. The information will provide City planners which businesses will be most beneficial to Fillmore.

Council Member Diane McCall responded to the funding by saying, "We have to update as a regular business would do...the website is embarrassing" and suggested, for the safety of the community, the house address numbers be painted on the curbs.

Conaway remarked that the baseball field needs to be completed and that it would give Fillmore Little League a place to play besides Shields Park.

Mayor Manuel Minjares stated he wanted a better discussion on exactly what the City was getting for the cost of the rescue squad vehicle. Council Member Rick Neal was also concerned and cautious on spending that large of an amount without greater consideration of the choice and if that great of an upgrade was needed. He also suggested a vehicle replacement fund. Fire Chief Rigo Landeros reminded the Council the many of the items the Fire Department has purchased have often been paid for through grant monies. The rescue squad is a truck used by Fillmore Fire Department. The present rescue squad is 15 years old and was purchased used in 2000 for one dollar. It has a small gas tank of 12 gallons and has had numerous problems.

Regarding continuing projects, Planning Department Kevin McSweeney reported that the consultant is revising the plans for based upon Caltrans comments and the light signal on Highway 126 and Mountain View is still scheduled to be in by August 2015. The revisions include handicap curbs, drainage and a light signal synchronized with the nearest light signals.

In other news, Conaway reported the pump track is about 80% completed and very close to operational. It was built using only donated equipment and labor.

Police Chief David Wareham reminded everyone that the Fillmore Community Health Fair 2014 presented by Santa Clara Valley Wellness Foundation, Ventura County Health Care Agency, Food Share and Fillmore Police Department will be held this Saturday November 22nd from 9-11:30 a.m. at the North Fillmore Police Storefront, 642 Lemon Way. Admission is free and groceries will be given to the first 100 families who participate in the health fair activities. There will also be blood pressure testing, flu shots, mammography screening information for women over 40 and high school internships and student scholarships information.

Mimi Burns presenting to Dorothy Hunt & Plate to recognize 47 years continuous service to the Fillmore Women’s Service Club.
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Past and present members, guests, and educational scholarships recipients were invited to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Fillmore Ebell Club and the 50th Anniversary of the Fillmore Women's Service Club. The event was held at the Memorial Building for an evening with dinner and dancing to recognize the wonderful work and dedication these two clubs have provided the community of Fillmore.

The Fillmore Ebell Club's objective was the promotion of culture, education, art, literature, music, and other fine arts. The first club meetings were held in homes, and in 1916 the meetings were held in the new Masonic Hall. In April 1929 the Club became interested in having their own clubhouse, which was completed in 1931. In 2000 the Clubhouse was sold. The Ebell Club ceased operations this year with its remaining assets being distributed to organizations in the community.

The Fillmore Women's Service Club started in 1964 when a group of young women formed the Fillmore Junior Women's Club, a Federation. In 1970 the group became the Fillmore Junior Ebell Club. In 1979 the group officially became the Fillmore Women's Service Club, a non-profit organization whose objective is the pursuit of educational, philanthropic and civic work in our community. Over the years the FWSC has donated money from fund raisers back to the community, to groups and individuals, and the support of our museums and libraries. The making of over 4,000 baby hats for newborns at Santa Paula Hospital, the first group to sponsor Bicycle Safety, purchased the first resuscitation machine for the Volunteer Fire Department, support for the schools, including money to every teacher in the school district for supplies and so much more.

Brad Hudson representing Congresswoman Julie Browning, Patty Quiroz representing Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, Shelly Johnson representing Assemblyman Jeff Gorell, Ventura County Supervisor Kathy Long, and David Wilde and Lucy Rangel representing the Fillmore Unified School Board presented Certificates of Recognition to Mary Ford, President of the Fillmore Ebell Club and Jeanne Klittich, President of the Fillmore Women's Service Club accepting on behalf of the clubs.

Mimi Burns, Committee Chairwoman, made a special presentation of an engraved plate to FWSC member, Dorothy Hunt, who has been a continuing member of the Fillmore Women's Service Club for 47 years.

Since 1970 Fillmore Women's Service Club has been supporting our graduating High School Seniors with Scholarships, Susan Banks, Youth Chairwoman, introduced the High School Educational Scholarship recipients, who were present. The Club also is currently giving Community Scholarship and an Adult Womens Scholarship, Susan also recognized those recipients who were present. Since 1970 The Fillmore Women's Service Club has given $251,850 in scholarships to Fillmore Students.

The Anniversary Celebration was a wonderful way to acknowledge the community service these two clubs have given the city of Fillmore. Many displays of photos, scrapbooks and newspaper articles were on display. Many FWSC scholarship winners wrote testimonials that were touching and inspiring about what their scholarships meant to them.

These motivated and generous women, have touched our community, and the lives of many individuals. With their hard work and dedication they have made our community a better place.

The Fillmore Women's Service Club is open to any woman over the age of 21 who would like to help the community. Membership fee is $15 a year and the club meets once a month for eight months of the year. For more information you can go to www.fillmorewomensserviceclub.com.