Cops say 2 tried to steal $2,500 in items from Thousand Oaks beauty store

From left: Mark Lutula and Jordan Jean Pierre

Deputies arrested suspects they say were involved in an attempted theft at a cosmetics store in Thousand Oaks, authorities said Saturday.

The incident began around 1:45 p.m. at Ulta Beauty, 205 N. Moorpark Road.

Detectives were contacted by investigators with the Orange County Sheriff's Department about the possibility of a potential burglary at the store. Around the same time, three people entered the business and appeared to be assessing it, according to authorities. Employees made contact with the suspects and they left, according to authorities.

Detectives arrived and began conducting surveillance of the area, according to authorities.

More suspects busted in Ventura County crimes:

Authorities said that around 3:25 p.m., they witnessed the return of two of the suspects, identified as Mark Lutula, 19, of Los Angeles, and Jordan Jean Pierre, 20, of Princess Anne, Maryland. Lutula and Jean Pierre entered and filled bags with merchandise worth an estimated total of $2,500, authorities said.

They ran out of the store with the merchandise to a vehicle waiting in the parking lot, according to authorities. A security officer contacted them as they were running, causing them to drop the stolen merchandise before entering the vehicle, according to authorities. 

Patrol deputies performed a traffic stop on the vehicle a short distance nearby, and Lutula and Jean Pierre were arrested, as well as a 16-year-old female juvenile occupant from Los Angeles, according to authorities.

Lutula and Jean Pierre were arrested on suspicion of grand theft and conspiracy to commit a crime, authorities said. Lutula was also arrested on suspicion of giving false information to a police officer and an outstanding warrant out of Pasadena, authorities said, and both were booked into county jail and held in lieu of $100,000 bail. The female juvenile was also arrested and booked into the Juvenile Justice Center, according to authorities.

Jeremy Childs is a breaking news and public safety reporter covering the night shift for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached by calling 805-437-0208 or emailing jeremy.childs@vcstar.com.