UPDATE:
Detectives have learned there may be a third suspect for the shooting that occurred on November 14, 2012.  This suspect is believed to have driven the vehicle that left the scene with Vizcarra Jr. and the juvenile that was previously arrested.

A photograph of Victor Vizcarra Meza Sr. has been obtained and is available on the Sheriff’s Flikr Page.

An additional photograph of Victor Vizcarra Jr. has also been obtained and is available on the Sheriff’s Flickr Page.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tularecountysheriff/?savedsettings=8225769466#photo8225769466

Detectives are actively seeking the driver of the vehicle, Victor Vizcarra Jr. for attempted homicide regarding the shooting and Victor Meza Vizcarra Sr. for the manufacturing of methamphetamine for sales and for aiding and abetting Victor Vizcarra Jr. Detectives are also asking anyone with information regarding the shooting, the meth lab case or the location of either suspect to please call the Sheriff’s Office at 800-808-0488. Refer to case #12-14897. You may also send your information anonymously through the Sheriff’s TipNow program by sending a text message or leaving a voicemail at 559-725-4194. You may also send an anonymous e-mail to tcso@tipnow.com. Your information is routed through the TipNow servers so only your messages are relayed, not your contact information.

Prior:
On Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at approximately 1331 hours, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding a victim of a possible shooting at the 12700 block of Miller Avenue in Orosi. Deputies and detectives responded to the area and located one victim who had an apparent gunshot wound. One victim, a 24 year old male from Orosi, was transported to a local area hospital for a non-life threatening gunshot wound. Two other victims were present during the shooting, neither sustained any injuries, ages 26 and 20 of Orosi.

Detectives learned the three victims are cousins and were working on the interior of a vehicle in the front of a residence on Miller Avenue. Two of the victims were seated in the vehicle while one was standing outside the open passenger door. Two males wearing black mask were walking near the intersection of Claude and Miller. Both males produced handguns and fired multiple rounds toward the victims. The vehicle the victims were in was struck as was the victim standing outside the vehicle. The two male suspects fled on foot westbound on Miller Avenue.

The suspects were seen getting into a black Honda four door car with rear tinted windows. One suspect was seen wearing all black and was later identified as Victor Vizcarra Jr., a 17 year old male and known gang member. The second suspect was seen wearing blue jeans and a white t-shirt.
Detectives believe the shooting to be gang related although the victim is not affiliated with any gangs. Another shooting occurred near this location in the past and the area has been known to be frequented be known gang members.

Detectives were able to check a number of leads and locations while searching for Vizcarra Jr. On 11-15-2012, detectives responded to a location at the 39000 block of Road 172 to make contact with the homeowner and ask to search the property for Vizcarra Jr. While walking up to the house, a garage window was open and a noticeable smell was coming through the window. The Detective Sergeant, who was a prior member of the narcotics unit and certified in clandestine labs, identified the smell associated with a methamphetamine lab. He immediately secured the property and removed personnel from the area. The Sheriff’s Office Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement Unit (CLEU) was notified and a search warrant for the property was obtained.

A search warrant was served on the property. Agents from the Sheriff’s Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement Unit (CLEU), South Tri-County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (STC-HIDTA) Taskforce, Department of Justice Bureau of Forensic Science (DOJ BFS), Tulare County Environmental Health and PARC Hazardous Material Waste Haulers assisted in the search, seizure and hazardous waste removal.

Detectives located 60 one gallon zip lock bags containing finished, uncut crystal methamphetamine of various weights from ¾ pound to 2 ½ pounds, six gallons of methamphetamine in solution as well as chemicals, equipment and indicia for processing methamphetamine into crystal methamphetamine. The weight of the processed methamphetamine seized was 65.14 pounds and the methamphetamine solution would have yielded an additional 27 pounds of crystal methamphetamine for a total of 92 pounds of methamphetamine seized.

The methamphetamine that was seized was not cut with any other product. The 92 pounds seized would convert to approximately 41,730 grams. A conservative cost per gram, also known as a dose, would be approximately $80 per gram. With the amount seized, the street value of the uncut product would be conservatively $3,338,400 dollars. In most situations, the methamphetamine would be cut or mixed with another substance to double the amount of product created for sales. Should this have been done, the street value of the cut product would have been over $6.6 million dollars.

Detectives were working with the property owner regarding the methamphetamine lab. Detectives have learned the property owner had recently rented the home to Victor Meza Vizcarra Sr., age 38 of Arizona. Vizcarra Sr. is the father of Vizcarra Jr. who is wanted for the shooting that occurred on 11-14-2012. Vizcarra Sr. is wanted for the manufacturing of methamphetamine for sales and for aiding and abetting Victor Vizcarra Jr. Detectives learned Vizcarra Sr. may have assisted Vizcarra Jr. in fleeing the country.

On 11-21-2012 Detectives received information that identified the second person involved in the shooting on 11-14-2012. A search warrant was served at the 12600 block of Ira in Orosi. The suspect, a 17 year old Hispanic male from Orosi, was located and arrested for three counts of attempted homicide. The suspect is a known gang member and was booked at the Juvenile Justice Center.

Detectives are actively seeking Victor Vizcarra Jr. for attempted homicide regarding the shooting and Victor Meza Vizcarra Sr. for the manufacturing of methamphetamine for sales and for aiding and abetting Victor Vizcarra Jr. Detectives are also asking anyone with information regarding the shooting, the meth lab case or the location of either suspect to please call the Sheriff’s Office at 800-808-0488. Refer to case #12-14897. You may also send your information anonymously through the Sheriff’s TipNow program by sending a text message or leaving a voicemail at 559-725-4194. You may also send an anonymous e-mail to tcso@tipnow.com. Your information is routed through the TipNow servers so only your messages are relayed, not your contact information.

The Sheriff’s Office is also asking for any photographs you may have of either Vizcarra Jr. or Sr. You may submit your photographs by email to info@tularesheriff.info or anonymously to tcso@tipnow.com.

A low quality photograph of Victor Vizcarra Jr. is available on the Sheriff’s Flickr page at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tularecountysheriff/8207629302/in/photostream
Vizcarra Jr. is described as a 17 year old male, approximately 5’10” in height, weighs approximately 160 pounds with black hair and eyes.

Victor Meza Vizcarra Sr. is described as a 38 year old male. Family and friends have not been willing to provide any additional information or photographs.

Photos of the meth lab are available on the Sheriff’s Flickr page at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tularecountysheriff/sets/72157632067107791/

Meth Lab Videos can be located on the Sheriff’s YouTube Channel at:
http://www.youtube.com/user/TulareCountySheriff/videos?view=0

PIO contact: cdouglass@co.tulare.ca.us

Suspects:        Uriel “Ojo” Magallanes, 19 years old, from Orosi


UPDATE
Detectives obtained a “No bail” arrest warrant for Magallanes for murder based on new developments resulting from the search warrant at his residence (Search warrant was served on 7-27-12) and on additional interviews conducted over the past four months.

On Tuesday, 11-20-12 Magallanes was contacted at his place of business in the 12000 block of Avenue 408 and came in for questioning without incident. He was later arrested for the outstanding warrant and booked into the Tulare County Main Jail on charges of murder and participating in a gang crime. Today, 11-26-12, Magallanes was arraigned in court on the warrant.

PREVIOUS INFORMATION
07-24-12 / 1807 Hours
TCSO Dispatch received a report of a single vehicle rollover traffic accident at Rd 156 and Ave 362 in Visalia. The caller was transferred to CHP. CHP arrived on scene and located Fire and EMS already worked on (2) injured occupants. They also located the third victim, Cruz Medina, who had been underneath the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel. The two surviving victims were transported to area hospitals and treated for their injuries. The driver, who survived, was found to have a gun shot wound to his face.

During the investigation, it was determined the victims were driving southbound on Road 156 when unknown subjects shot at the victims while passing in their vehicle. The driver had been shot lost control of the vehicle, causing it to crash and overturn. All three victims had gang ties.

An autopsy was conducted on 7-26-12 and Medina was found to have a gun shot wound to the ear, but the cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma to head, due to the traffic accident.

On 7-27-12, search warrants were conducted in the 41800 block of Ione and 13400 block of Ave 416, S- Magallanes’ residence. Evidence linking Magallanes to the crime was located at that time, including a vehicle which was later identified as the suspect vehicle, and gang materials. Magallanes was interviewed at that time, but was later released.

Narrative:

On Saturday 11-24-12 Detectives from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department Gang Violence Suppression Unit conducted gang suppression efforts in the Cutler / Orosi areas. During this effort, two persons were taken into custody for Narcotic and Weapons related charges:

1) Mark Fukushima (35 yrs. old from Delft Colony) was taken into custody after he was found to be in possession of approximately 1.4 ounces of a controlled substance as well as an assault rifle and 5 other firearms.

2) Manuel Sanchez (42 yrs old from Delft Colony) was taken into custody at the same location for being under the influence of a controlled substance

Both subjects were booked into the Tulare County Main Jail and the cases remain under investigation by the Sheriff’s Department Gang Suppression Unit

On 11-21-12 at approximately 0900 hours deputies from the Orosi Substation responded to an address in the 7900 block of Peony Dr. in Dinuba, regarding a theft investigation of a farm utility trailer. Once on scene deputies identified Timothy Anderson as the suspect involved in the theft and was found to be on active parole.  (S)Anderson initially fled on foot from the residence.  He was later located and taken into custody with the assistance of a Tulare County Sheriff’s K9.  (S)Anderson was later booked into the Tulare County Main Jail.

The stolen farm utility trailer was recovered and later returned to the victim.  The recovered trailer was valued at approximately $1000.00 dollars. 

The case is currently under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office.

Taken into custody were:    Anderson, Timothy  44 year old male

On Wednesday, 11-21-12 at about 4:45 am, several masked gunmen wearing camouflage clothing, gloves and tactical style vests with firearms arrived at two separate residences 26200 block of Road 164 Visalia.  The armed suspects had arrived in two vehicles and broke into each residence simultaneously yelling out "SWAT" in Spanish and English.  In one house there were seven victims, three of them were bound at the hands by the suspects.  The ages of the victims ranged from 7 to 48 years.  In the second house there were four victims and their ages ranged from 18 months to 23 years.

The victims were held at gun-point while each home was ransacked.  The suspects seized cell-phones as a means to prevent them from calling law enforcement.  The suspects were on scene for approximately 45 minutes.  In addition to the cell-phones, they stole a 43" flat screen television, Mig Welder, an unloaded rifle in a blue case, miscellaneous jewelry, a small amount of cash, four sets of vehicle ignition keys and about one pound of processed marijuana.  The estimated loss was valued at more than $4,000.00.

There were no injuries to the victims, and the suspects did not shoot their firearms.  The suspects fled in their vehicles southbound on Road 164 to an unknown location.  Immediately after the suspects left, one adult victim went outside and fired a weapon repeatedly into the ground to gain the attention of nearby neighbors, so they would call 911 since they did not have any phones.

At about 0554 hours, a neighbor heard the gunshots and called 911. Patrol deputies from the sheriff's department were dispatched to the scene.  A short time later, detectives from the department assumed the investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call the Sheriff's Office at 800-808-0488.

(S)Eric Ledesma 19 yrs
(S)Juvenile 15 yrs
(S)Juvenile 16 yrs

      
Deputies attempted to perform a traffic stop on a vehicle in the Terra Bella area of southern Tulare County.  The vehicle fled after stopping for a short time.  The deputy returned to his unit and attempted to catch up to the fleeing vehicle, but it had already struck another vehicle at the intersection of A95 and R248.  Three subjects fled from the vehicle and two were detained while attempting to flee. 

A Tulare County Sheriff’s Dept. K9 unit and the Tulare County Air Support Unit responded to the area to assist with apprehending the subjects who fled the area.  The driver, a 15 yr old juvenile was found hiding a short distance away.  Two subjects are still outstanding at this time. 

The driver was booked for Hit and Run, resisting or delaying a peace officer, and driving without a license.  A juvenile passenger was arrested for resisting or delaying a peace officer.  The adult in the vehicle was arrested for resisting or delaying a peace officer and three counts of child endangerment. 

The juveniles were booked into the Juvenile Detention Facility.  The adult was booked into the Porterville Substation Jail. 
  
This case under investigation by TCSO Porterville Patrol.

On Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at approximately 1331 hours, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding a victim of a possible shooting at the 12700 block of Miller Avenue in Orosi.  Deputies and detectives responded to the area and located one victim who had an apparent gunshot wound.  One victim, a 24 year old male from Orosi, was transported to a local area hospital for a non-life threatening gunshot wound.  Two other victims were present during the shooting, neither sustained any injuries, ages 26 and 20 of Orosi.

Detectives learned the three victims are cousins and were working on the interior of a vehicle in the front of a residence on Miller Avenue.  Two of the victims were seated in the vehicle while one was standing outside the open passenger door.    Two males wearing black mask were walking near the intersection of Claude and Miller. Both males produced handguns and fired multiple rounds toward the victims.  The vehicle the victims were in was struck as was the victim standing outside the vehicle.  The two male suspects fled on foot westbound on Miller Avenue. 

The suspects were seen getting into a black Honda four door car with rear tinted windows.  One suspect was seen wearing all black and was later identified as Victor Vizcarra Jr., a 17 year old male and known gang member. The second suspect was seen wearing blue jeans and a white t-shirt. 
Detectives believe the shooting to be gang related although the victim is not affiliated with any gangs.  Another shooting occurred near this location in the past and the area has been known to be frequented be known gang members.

Detectives were able to check a number of leads and locations while searching for Vizcarra Jr.  On 11-15-2012, detectives responded to a location at the 39000 block of Road 172 to make contact with the homeowner and ask to search the property for Vizcarra Jr.  While walking up to the house, a garage window was open and a noticeable smell was coming through the window.  The Detective Sergeant, who was a prior member of the narcotics unit and certified in clandestine labs, identified the smell associated with a methamphetamine lab.  He immediately secured the property and removed personnel from the area.  The Sheriff’s Office Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement Unit (CLEU) was notified and a search warrant for the property was obtained.

A search warrant was served on the property.  Agents from the Sheriff’s Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement Unit (CLEU), South Tri-County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (STC-HIDTA) Taskforce, Department of Justice Bureau of Forensic Science (DOJ BFS), Tulare County Environmental Health and PARC Hazardous Material Waste Haulers assisted in the search, seizure and hazardous waste removal.

Detectives located 60 one gallon zip lock bags containing finished, uncut crystal methamphetamine of various weights from ¾ pound to 2 ½ pounds, six gallons of methamphetamine in solution as well as chemicals, equipment and indicia for processing methamphetamine into crystal methamphetamine.  The weight of the processed methamphetamine seized was 65.14 pounds and the methamphetamine solution would have yielded an additional 27 pounds of crystal methamphetamine for a total of 92 pounds of methamphetamine seized.

The methamphetamine that was seized was not cut with any other product. The 92 pounds seized would convert to approximately 41,730 grams.  A conservative cost per gram, also known as a dose, would be approximately $80 per gram.  With the amount seized, the street value of the uncut product would be conservatively $3,338,400 dollars.  In most situations, the methamphetamine would be cut or mixed with another substance to double the amount of product created for sales.  Should this have been done, the street value of the cut product would have been over $6.6 million dollars.

Detectives were working with the property owner regarding the methamphetamine lab.  Detectives have learned the property owner had recently rented the home to Victor Meza Vizcarra Sr., age 38 of Arizona.  Vizcarra Sr. is the father of Vizcarra Jr.  who is wanted for the shooting that occurred on 11-14-2012. Vizcarra Sr. is wanted for the manufacturing of methamphetamine for sales and for aiding and abetting Victor Vizcarra Jr.  Detectives learned Vizcarra Sr. may have assisted Vizcarra Jr. in fleeing the country. 

On 11-21-2012 Detectives received information that identified the second person involved in the shooting on 11-14-2012.  A search warrant was served at the 12600 block of Ira in Orosi.  The suspect, a 17 year old Hispanic male from Orosi, was located and arrested for three counts of attempted homicide.  The suspect is a known gang member and was booked at the Juvenile Justice Center.

Detectives are actively seeking Victor Vizcarra Jr. for attempted homicide regarding the shooting and Victor Meza Vizcarra Sr. for the manufacturing of methamphetamine for sales and for aiding and abetting Victor Vizcarra Jr.   Detectives are also asking anyone with information regarding the shooting, the meth lab case or the location of either suspect to please call the Sheriff’s Office at 800-808-0488.  Refer to case #12-14897.  You may also send your information anonymously through the Sheriff’s TipNow program by sending a text message or leaving a voicemail at 559-725-4194.  You may also send an anonymous e-mail to tcso@tipnow.com.  Your information is routed through the TipNow servers so only your messages are relayed, not your contact information.

The Sheriff’s Office is also asking for any photographs you may have of either Vizcarra Jr. or Sr.  You may submit your photographs by email to info@tularesheriff.info or anonymously to tcso@tipnow.com.

A low quality photograph of Victor Vizcarra Jr. is available on the Sheriff’s Flickr page at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tularecountysheriff/8207629302/in/photostream
Vizcarra Jr. is described as a 17 year old male, approximately  5’10” in height, weighs approximately  160 pounds with black hair and eyes.

Victor Meza Vizcarra Sr. is described as a 38 year old male.  Family and friends have not been willing to provide any additional information or photographs. 

Photos of the meth lab are available on the Sheriff’s Flickr page at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tularecountysheriff/sets/72157632067107791/

Meth Lab Videos can be located on the Sheriff’s YouTube Channel at:
http://www.youtube.com/user/TulareCountySheriff/videos?view=0

PIO contact: cdouglass@co.tulare.ca.us

(S)Eric Ledesma 19 yrs
(S)Juvenile 15 yrs
(S)Juvenile 16 yrs

      
           Deputies attempted to perform a traffic stop on a vehicle in the Terra Bella area of southern Tulare County.  The vehicle fled after stopping for a short time.  The deputy returned to his unit and attempted to catch up to the fleeing vehicle, but it had already struck another vehicle at the intersection of A95 and R248.  Three subjects fled from the vehicle and two were detained while attempting to flee. 
    A Tulare County Sheriff’s Dept. K9 unit and the Tulare County Air Support Unit responded to the area to assist with apprehending the subjects who fled the area.  The driver, a 15 yr old juvenile was found hiding a short distance away.  Two subjects are still outstanding at this time. 
    The driver was booked for Hit and Run, resisting or delaying a peace officer, and driving without a license.  A juvenile passenger was arrested for resisting or delaying a peace officer.  The adult in the vehicle was arrested for resisting or delaying a peace officer and three counts of child endangerment. 
    The juveniles were booked into the Juvenile Detention Facility.  The adult was booked into the Porterville Substation Jail. 
       
This case under investigation by TCSO Porterville Patrol.

On 11-18-2012 at 0920 hours, Deputies with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched to a residence in Three Rivers for a report of elder abuse. During the investigation, the victim was identified as an 88 year old female and was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. The victim was later found to have injuries.

The suspect in the assault was the victim’s caretaker and was identified as Judy Dovel from Three Rivers. The suspect was arrested for the above listed charges and booked into the Tulare County Bob Wiley Detention Facility.     

This case is currently being investigated by Detectives with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Tulare County Detective Bureau at 559-733-6218. You may also e-mail information to TCSO@tipnow.com or text @ 559-725-4194.  

On the above date and time deputies from the Porterville Substation were dispatched to 20400 block of Rd 196 in Strathmore for a report of a female who had been kidnapped and robbed at gunpoint. 

Detectives from the Violent Crimes Unit were called.  During the investigation it was discovered the female victim was taken by force by the male suspect who was hiding in her vehicle as she entered . Driven around the Porterville area and robbed of a large amount of US Currency, which was taken from the victims purse.  The victim received no injuries during the incident.  The suspect subsequently fled from the vehicle in an unknown direction after taking the money.       
   
The case remains under investigation.

Any information should call Detective Richard Ramirez at (559) 733-6218 or send anonymous information by sending a text message or email to TCSO@tipnow.com or call 1-800-TIPNOW.  

S1 – Michael Coleman,  age 35 , Out of Apple Valley Ca.

On November 13, 2012, detectives from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office S.T.E.P. Unit concluded a two month long investigation into the cultivation and possession for sale of marijuana in Alpaugh. At 0830 hrs on the above date detectives responded to the 5200 block of Rd. 42 in Alpaugh for the service of a search warrant on a large marijuana grow site. Upon arrival Detectives found a large plywood enclosure adjacent to a residential area. The above listed suspect was contacted and found to be cultivating marijuana for sales. Over (40) medical marijuana recommends were found at the location, all for subjects out of the Southern California area. Evidence and statements obtained at the scene gave detectives probable cause to believe the marijuana was being cultivated for sales. Detectives eradicated 140 fully mature and heavily budded marijuana plants. The plants were guarded by a vicious Pit Bull that was contained within the grow site.

It should be noted that the commonly accepted yield for an outdoor marijuana plant for court purposes is one pound per mature plant, however the plants at these locations could easily have yielded 2 to 3 pounds of high grade marijuana bud per plant. If each plant yielded one pound the street value of the marijuana produced would be approx. $4,000 per pound, more when shipped out of state.

It has become common for Drug Trafficking Organizations to hide behind California’s poorly written medical marijuana laws which do not limit the number of plants a person can have.  Issuing doctors charge by how many plants the grower wants listed on the recommend. California does not have a central register of who is growing marijuana at what locations. Large Drug Trafficking Organizations set-up these “Plywood Grows” on farmland around the valley. Suspects make multiple copies of marijuana recommends, paying top dollar to have doctors endorse the recommend for 99 plants, then copy and scatter the recommends around many grow sites where local law enforcement officer’s investigating have no mechanism to check if the recommend might be posted in other areas. By hiding behind the loosely written California medicinal marijuana laws, officers are forced to do extensive, time consuming, investigations to get past the medical defense and prove criminal cases against suspects.

Detectives have found that some large land owners are renting out 1 to 5 acre portions of their property for up to $25,000 for out of the area growers to cultivate marijuana for the Southern California market. Alpaugh soil is generally to alkali to sustain marijuana plants.  Because of this, these and other marijuana plants in the Alpaugh area are planted in large containers which are placed on pallets or partially dug into the ground and filled with potting soil. A support system is erected over the plant to provide support.

Due to the excessive amount of marijuana present at this site, all plants were eradicated and the above suspect arrested. The suspect was transported and booked without incident at the Tulare County Jail.

Local Alpaugh residents have been calling in to report that large plywood fences were being put up at several locations in the area and they feared subjects growing marijuana would bring violence into the area.

This case and several others in the Alpaugh area are still under investigation by the TCSO STEP Unit.

Photos available on the Sheriff's Flickr page at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tularecountysheriff/sets/72157632007233707/

Update:
The Tulare County Sheriff's Office has positively identified the decedent as Cecil Ray Elkins, also known as Tiger.  He is a Caucasian, male, age 32 from the Pixley area.  Cecil was wanted by the Tulare Police Department.

The Tulare Police Department was seeking Elkins as wanted felon for two counts of attempted homicide.  Elkins was the suspect in a case involving a stolen vehicle on Monday November 12, 2012.  Tulare Police Department attempted to approach Elkins on the 1400 block of West Inyo Street in Tulare.  Elkins intentionally rammed a patrol car that was occupied by and officer  and attempted to strike another officer who was on foot, which resulted in an officer firing their weapon at Elkins.  Please refer to Tulare Police Department's news release for information regarding this portion of the case.

Tulare Police Department received a tip Cecil Elkins was in the Pixley area on Tuesday, November 13, 2012.  Due to the nature of Elkin's prior behaviors, the Tulare Police Department requested assistance from the TARGET team, as well as the Tulare County Sheriff's Air Support Unit in an attempt to apprehend Elkins and minimize confrontation or escape.

Elkins was seen getting into the passenger side of a vehicle that stopped at a local business.  When Officers attempted to make contact, Elkins fled on foot.  Officers followed and one discharaged his weapon multiple times at the suspect.  This officer worked on the TARGET team as a representative from the California Highway Patrol.  He is a nine year vetereran with the department and was placed on administrative leave as per reglular policy. 

A total of seven officers from the allied agencies along with the Sheriff's Air Support Unit were involved in the incident.

The officer involved shooting portion of this case is still under investigation by the Tulare County Sherif's Office.  Anyone with information is encouraged to call 800-808-0488.  You may also submit your information anonymously through the Shriff's Office TipNow program by voicemail or text to 559-725-4194 or by email to tcso@tipnow.com.

A photo of Cecil Ray Elkins is available on the Sheriff's Flickr page at:
http://www.flickr.com/people/tularecountysheriff

PRIOR:
On November 13th, 2012 at approximately 3:41 p.m. the Tulare  County Sheriff's Office received a call in regards to an officer involved shooting in the Pixley area. Detectives responded to investigate the shooting. Detectives learned that the Tulare County Area Regional Gang Enforcement Team had received a tip regarding a wanted felon who was in the Pixley area. Officers from the task force attempted to make contact with the suspect. The suspect fled on foot and ran to the dirt lot near Center and Allen in Pixley. One Officer from the task force discharged their firearm at the suspect. The suspect, a Caucasian male adult, was pronounced deceased on scene. The Tulare County Sheriff's Office will continue the investigation.  As additional information is made available for release an update will be posted.

On Friday, November 9, 2012 a passerby saw a man lying on the ground outside his truck on the side of the roadway.  The passerby stopped to check on him.  The man, a Hispanic male adult, was conscious and appeared to have a wound to the upper leg.  The passerby called the Sheriff’s Office for help at 1535.

The victim advised he stopped his truck on ranch he was working at.  He was walking outside his vehicle in the dirt field east of Road 128 South of Ave 176. A black Honda drove by with possibly two adult males in the vehicle.  The victim heard a gunshot and felt pain to his leg. The vehicle continued driving southbound on Road 128.

Detectives were called out to investigate the case.  Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 800-808-0488.  You can also send your info anonymously through voicemail or text at 559-725-4194 or email tcso@tipnow.com.

Suspect:    #1 Fernando Galindo Jr.    Age:    31
City of Residence:     Dinuba, Ca                                       Charges: See above
Suspect:    #2  Hispanic Female  (Out of Custody)     Age:    36
City of Residence:     Dinuba, Ca.                                        Charges; 11364 H&S
Suspect #3   Joshua Galindo                                       29 years
                     Visalia, Ca.                        Charges: Arrest warrant for 11378 H&S

After an approximate four (4) week investigation into illegal narcotics trafficking in the Dinuba area, investigators from the Sheriff’s Department’s Narcotics Division were lead to a residence in the 1500 Blk of E. Park Way where a search warrant was served.  The ensuing investigation and search revealed that the listed suspect was in possession of approximately 14 grams of Methamphetamine, 2.8 grams of Cocaine, indicia related to the sale of illegal narcotics, maintaining a residence for illicit narcotic sales, Possession of a stolen firearm, a weapon with narcotics and maintaining a residence for illicit narcotic sales. He is also a known gang member.
Suspect #2, the Hispanic female, was in possession of narcotics paraphernalia and was not taken into custody.
Suspect #3 was at the residence when the search warrant was served and found to have an active arrest warrant for Possession for sales of Methamphetamine. 

Suspects 1 and 3 booked at the Tulare County Mail Jail on the listed charges.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Division (559) 713-2950.

Photos available through the Main Jail.

Victim: confidential: 19 year old Hispanic male adult

Suspect #1: 14 year old black male juvenile

Suspect #2: 14 year old black male juvenile

On 11-5-12 at approx. 2001 hrs. Deputies were dispatched to the 7000 block of Ave. 310, Goshen regarding a 245 P.C. Upon arrival Deputies contacted the victim who stated he located the suspects in his garage who then demanded property from him at gunpoint then assaulted him with the handle of a garden tool which caused minor injury. Deputies developed leads which led to the 30900 block of Farr Rd., Goshen where they were able to contact both suspect's. During their contact with the suspect's Deputies were able to recover items used in the crime. Both suspect's were later transported to and booked into the Juvenile Detention Facility on the above charges.

This case is under investigation by TCSO.

Sgt. J. Mayberry