Man Held in Theft at Pawn Shop

THOUSAND OAKS — A man who posed as a customer trying to sell sports trading cards was jailed Saturday on suspicion of stealing $10,000 in cash from the counter of a pawn shop, authorities said.

Daniel Benjamin Zinn, 20, of Agoura Hills was arrested about noon, Sheriff’s Sgt. Mark O’Donnell said.

The money was taken from Conejo Valley Stamp and Coin at 2768 Thousand Oaks Blvd. A store employee said the cash was about to be handed to another customer who had just sold some merchandise.

Large cash transactions are done frequently at the business, said the employee, who asked that his name not be used.

O’Donnell said witnesses tailed the suspect’s car for several miles before losing sight of it near Triunfo Community Park.

They gave the license plate number and a description of the car to deputies, O’Donnell said.

Deputies and a sheriff’s helicopter spotted Zinn several miles east of the park and arrested him on Agoura Road near Reyes Adobe Road in Agoura Hills. Deputies said the money was found in the car.

Zinn was being held in Ventura County Jail Saturday night on suspicion of grand theft, and bail was set at $20,000.

O’Donnell said Zinn was also being held on suspicion of grand theft in another case, but details were unavailable.