Blowtorch Bandits Strike Coin Laundry

VENTURA COUNTY — Simi Valley’s blowtorch bandits have struck again, gutting a change machine at a coin-operated laundry and taking approximately $5,000.

The incident was the second at that store in the past seven months. It was the fourth at a coin laundry in Ventura County this year. It follows closely on the heels of a July 27 burglary in Moorpark in which the culprits, also using a blowtorch, made off with $1,500 in change.

The theft took place between the late evening of Aug. 2 and daybreak the next morning at a laundry on Alamo Street, said police Sgt. Bob Gardner. The thieves were able to enter the store without using force because the laundry is open 24 hours a day, he said.

A blowtorch was used to empty the change machine, causing $4,500 worth of damage, Gardner said. He said police have no clues as to how many thieves are involved.