Search starts for man reported in storm drain but later found at Thousand Oaks home

A 30-year-old Thousand Oaks man who was believed to be trapped in a storm drain Friday afternoon was instead found in a nearby home.

Capt. Ryan Clark, with Ventura County Sheriff's Office, said the agency received a call just before noon about a person who was in distress near the Rancho Conejo Playfields in Thousand Oaks.

The caller told the sheriff's office the man had gone down to a reservoir-type area and had potentially experienced medical problems after he disappeared unexpectedly.

The search in the area of the 900 block of North Ventu Park Road gained momentum when it was reported the man had entered a storm drain and did not exit.

Capt. Brian McGrath, with the Ventura County Fire Department, said firefighters had begun preparations to enter the storm drain for a technical rescue. A helicopter was used to search the area in case the man had exited the storm drain elsewhere on his own.

By 1:25 p.m., the man was located in stable condition at a Thousand Oaks home and declined medical attention.

Clark said the man never entered the storm drain system nor was he in distress.

Brian J. Varela covers Oxnard, Port Hueneme and Camarillo. He can be reached at brian.varela@vcstar.com or 805-477-8014. You can also find him on Twitter @BrianVarela805.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Man reported in storm drain found in Thousand Oaks home