The two attempted to steal a motorcycle in broad daylight, in front of dealership customers and employees.
By Laura Tate / Editor
Ventura Country Sheriff’s deputies arrested Malibu residents Zack Howard, 24, and Robert Krafft, 27, on suspicion of stealing a new motorcycle from a Thousand Oaks dealership on Saturday.
According to Sheriff’s officials, Krafft and Howard drove a sport utility vehicle to a Honda dealership on Thousand Oaks Boulevard on Saturday afternoon. They parked the SUV in front of the building, a few feet from the door. While looking at off-road motorcycles, Howard sat on one bike and then rolled it out the door, while Krafft held it open. Krafft and Howard then loaded the bike into the vehicle. Employees saw what was happening and ran out to the car and grabbed a wheel of the motorcycle, pulling it out as the two men drove away. Witnesses wrote down the license plate of the SUV and contacted the Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff’s deputies later contacted Krafft and Howard at their home in Malibu, and the two turned themselves in separately on Monday and Tuesday.
Howard was released on his own recognizance on Tuesday, and Krafft was held several days and was released after posting bail, according to Sheriff’s officials.
“What was unusual about this,” said Sheriff’s detective Eric Buschow, “is that it happened in broad daylight in front of employees and customers. It’s not the smartest crime I’ve seen.”
Also, Buschow said, the two, in an attempt to avoid getting into trouble, later called the dealership and offered to bring in beer and quesadillas if the owners didn’t pursue the case.
Howard is a local surfer, who has competed in prestigious surf championships around the world. He has been a Los Angeles County lifeguard for nine years, and has surfed professionally for 10.
Krafft is scheduled to appear at the Ventura County Courthouse Aug. 21, and Howard is scheduled to appear Aug. 29. They are being charged with one count each of vehicle theft.