Photo: Arthur Stepanian
Ventura County – Residents of Thousand Oaks may find the price of heroin increasing a bit following the January 23rd arrest of 41-year-old North Hills resident Arthur Stepanian.
According to Ventura County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Det. Sgt. Eduardo Malagon, just as the 2020 New Year got rolling, the VCSD’s Narcotics Unit detectives “obtained information” that Stepanian was seriously and consistently “involved in the sales of heroin” to individuals throughout the City of Thousand Oaks.
An investigation into Stepanian’s daily activities, personal contacts, and movements throughout the area quickly ensued. It didn’t take long for the cops to determine that Stepanian was, indeed, a viable suspect through the accumulation of evidence so convincing the Ventura County Superior Court issued a warrant for the search of his person, home, and vehicles.
Late in the afternoon of the 23rd, Stepanian exited his residence and was heading toward his parked car, whereupon multiple detectives revealed themselves and proffered a fistful of search warrants.
At the time of their contact with Stepanian, he was found to be holding “a small quantity of heroin” and assorted drug paraphernalia on his person. A subsequent search of his residence and vehicle lead to the discovery of “127 grams of heroin and approximately $27,000 believed to be proceeds from narcotic sales.”
Stepanian was taken into custody and transported to Ventura County Jail, where he was booked on a charge of heroin sales, with his bail set at $80,000.
Photo: Courtesy Ventura County Jail Booking
