Simi Valley authorities arrested a local woman last week in connection with several burglaries that occurred in Moorpark and Simi Valley.

Tricia Moran, 39, of Simi Valley allegedly entered homes to steal valuables while residents were sleeping.

Police refer to such incidents, where break-ins occur while victims are home, as "hot prowl" burglaries.

The last such incident allegedly involving Moran occurred at a house on Nicolas Street in Simi Valley at about 5 a.m. Fri., Aug. 22, according to Lt. Paul Fitzpatrick of the Simi Valley police.

The resident woke up, spotted Moran standing in the bedroom, and chased her out of the house.

He then called the police, who arrived at the scene within a few minutes.

While searching for the suspect, authorities noticed an unattended vehicle with keys in the ignition parked nearby.

They waited until Moran entered the car and stopped her shortly after she began to drive away.

Valuables allegedly stolen from two homes in Moorpark the previous day were inside Moran's car.

The homes south of Moorpark College were burglarized between midnight and 6 a.m. on Aug. 21, said Sgt. Will Hammer of the Moorpark Police.

"Hot prowl burglaries are especially concerning to local law enforcement and the community because there's a high potential for confrontations between the homeowners and the burglars," said Senior Dep. Robert Berger of the Moorpark Police.

Authorities in Moorpark warned residents to lock their doors and windows at night. Moran had gained entry through unlocked doors and sliding patio doors to steal valuables left around the homes.

Moran's bail was set at $50,000. Court records indicate she has been arrested before in connection with the use of a controlled substance.

Her name also appears on the court website in open cases involving thefts and drugrelated incidents in Oxnard earlier this year.