On 09/20/2012 Detectives from the Tulare County Sheriff's Department, working in conjunction with allied law enforcement agencies, located Missing Person Felix Garcia. He was found to be in good physical and mental health in an undisclosed location. He is no longer considered a missing person or at risk.

On 9/13/12 and again on 9/18/12 Detectives from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office S.T.E.P. Unit partnered with Federal Officers from the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and the Drug Enforcement Administration’s C.E.R.T. Program (Cannabis Eradication & Reclamation Teams) to raid and eradicate two large mountain marijuana grow sites in the Sequoia National Forest near Speas Creek and Rube Creek. On both occasions several suspects fled into the thick underbrush and steep terrain. In the Speas Creek operation, approximately 7,675 live marijuana plants were seized during the operation. These marijuana plants were fully mature and the garden had already been partially harvested. In Rube Creek, most of the grow site had been harvested; however 1,478 fully mature marijuana plants were seized. These fully mature plants would yield in excess of one pound of usable marijuana bud with a street value in excess of $3,000 per pound.

In addition to the marijuana plants seized, detectives also seized several firearms, ammunition for several pistols, rifles and shotguns. Multiple pounds of fertilizer, pesticides and rat poison were located in addition to several types of Mexican pesticides not readily available in the U.S.

Detectives and Federal Officers removed trash, water hose, pesticides and fertilizers from the Public lands grow sites and restored as much as possible, the natural streams and creeks which had been diverted by growers (a process known as reclamation.) Additional work will be done on these areas to restore them to their natural state after the marijuana season, to lessen the danger to workers on those projects.

This case is still under investigation by the TCSO STEP Unit.

On 9/20/12 detectives from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office S.T.E.P. and Narcotics Units concluded a two month long investigation into the cultivation and possession for sale of marijuana. At 0700 hrs on the above date detectives responded to a location in the 22500 block of Ave 314 in Lindcove for the service of a search warrant on a large marijuana grow site. This location had come to detective’s attention after neighbors reported armed men guarding the marijuana garden.

Upon arrival, detectives contacted the below listed suspects who attempted to flee by jumping over several fences all were captured and detained by assisting officers. The suspects were found to be growing marijuana under the guise of it being medicinal; the investigation found that the marijuana was being grown for sales to marijuana dispensaries in the Los Angeles area.

S-1 Juan Javier Chavez 22 yoa, Out of Mexico, HS 11358/ 11359/ PC 148
S-2 Luis Curiel, 31 yoa, Out of Los Angles, HS 11358/ 11359/ PC 148
S-3 Raul Ortega, 41 yoa, Out of Cutler, HS 11358/ 11359/ PC 148
S-4 Armando Anaya, 30 yoa, Out of Mexico HS 11358/ 11359/ PC 148
S-5 Jose Luevanos, 19 yoa, Out of Los Angles, HS 11358/ 11359/ PC 148
S-6 David Luevanos 19 yoa, Out of Los Angles, HS 11358/ 11359/ PC 148

The grow site itself was found to have a sophisticated surveillance and alarm system. Several rifles and a handgun were also seized from the property.  The 266 marijuana plants seized weighed in excess of 1800 pounds. A pound of high quality marijuana bud would have a street value of over $3,000 per pound if sold in California, on the east coast the value of a pound of marijuana is worth several times the California price.

This case is still under investigation by the TCSO STEP Unit.

Pictures from grow site availave at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tularecountysheriff/sets/72157631585133911/

On 9-19-12, deputies were dispatched to the Goshen area regarding a domestic abuse case.
Upon further investigation, I learned that on 09-19-12 the victim was physically assaulted. The victim was threatened with a knife, and was held against her will. The victim sustained several cuts and bruises. The victim was transported to the hospital where she was treated and released.

The suspect was later contacted and was arrested for the above charges, and was later booked at the Main Jail.

The case is under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff's Department.

On 9-18-12, 2357 hrs. Tulare County Sheriff Deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with expired registration. The driver was contacted and found to have a suspended drivers license. A search of his person incident to arrest revealed him to be in possession of a controlled substance.

Further investigation revealed a scale, packaging material, and additional controlled substance inside of his vehicle. A presumptive test was conducted on the substance which tested positive for methamphetamine. The substance weighed approximately 7.3 grams.

The suspect identified as 31 year old Frank Gonzalez of Orosi was booked into the Tulare County Jail on charges of transporting and possession for sales of narcotics.     

The case remains under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff Department.
    

On the above date and time deputies responded to the Lindsay Police Department where a family member reported the Felix Garcia, 62 years old from Lindsay, missing. Garcia is considered at risk because he suffers from dementia and has other medical problems. He was last seen this morning at about 11:00am walking east from his residence in the 21600 block of Brooks Avenue, north of the community of Lindsay.

Garcia is described as an being 5’09,” 170, with grey hair and full grey beard. He was last seen wearing a red polo shirt and black pants.

A picture of Garcia can be found at the following location:  http://www.tularesheriff.info/missingperson_garcia.html

Any information should call the Tulare County Sheriff's Department at (559) 733-6218 or 1-800-808-0488.

UPDATE:

On 09/19/2012 a neighbor of missing person Felix Garcia reported that Tuesday, 09/18/2012 at about 11:00 am, Garcia came to his residence and asked for a ride to the airport so he could fly back to Mexico. The neighbor gave Garcia a ride to LA International Airport and dropped him off there. Detectives were able to confirm this and are working with LAPD and airport personnel to locate Garcia or track where he may have gone.

Garcia is described as being 5’09,” 170, with grey hair and full grey beard. He was last seen wearing a red polo shirt and black pants.

A picture of Garcia can be found at the following location:  http://www.tularesheriff.info/missingperson_garcia.html


Any information should call the Detective Rod Klassen at (559) 733-6218 or 1-800-808-0488.

UPDATE:

On Tuesday, September 18, 2012 an autopsy was conducted on the victim’s remains. The cause of death was determined to be multiple stab wounds to the neck and upper chest and blunt force trauma to the head.

Anyone information should call Detective Frank Zaragoza at (559) 733-6211 or send anonymous information by calling, emailing or sending a text message to TCSO@tipnow.com or 1-800-TIPNOW.

Narrative:

On 09/15/12 The Tulare County Sheriff's Department Violent Crimes Unit obtained a “No bail” arrest warrant for Joshua Stepp, 23 years old, from Lindsay CA, for the murder of Michael Avalos.  

On Sunday, 09/16/12, 4:24 am pacific time, Joshua Stepp was arrested at an Amtrak station in Kansas City Missouri on the outstanding arrest warrant. The U.S. Marshal’s Western District of Missouri Task Force located Stepp while he was disembarking from a train. He was arrested without incident. Stepp was turned over to detectives from the Kansas City Police Department and then booked into the Jackson County Detention Facility where he will be held, pending extradition to Tulare County.

Anyone with information should call Detective Frank Zaragoza or Detective Steve Sanchez at (559) 733-6211 or send anonymous information by calling, emailing or sending a text message to TCSO@tipnow.com or 1-800-TIPNOW.

Mugshots available on Sheriff' Flickr page at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tularecountysheriff/sets/72157631544204808/

For full details of the initial murder investigation see the Tulare County Sheriff's Department website at: http://www.tularesheriff.info/news.php

On 09-15-12 at approximately 1959 hours deputies from the Orosi Substation contacted Gerardo Jijon-Pioquinto at the intersection of Rd. 128 and First Dr. During contact with the suspect he was found in possession of a glass smoking pipe with methamphetamine inside.  Jijon was taken into custody on charges of possession of a controlled substance, H&S 11377 and booked into the Tulare County Main Jail.

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

Taken into custody were: 

Gerardo Jijon-Pioquinto age 23.

On 09-14-12 at approximately 2141 hours deputies from the Orosi Substation conducted a traffic stop in the area of Rd. 128 and Ave. 408 of a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed.  Once the traffic stop was made at the intersection of Rd. 128 and Ave 408 deputies found the driver of the vehicle, Gerardo Villicana, in possession of what appeared to be methamphetamine.  Villicana was taken into custody on charges of possession of a controlled substance, H&S 11377 and booked into the Tulare County Main Jail.

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

Taken into custody were: 

Gerardo Villicana

UPDATED TO HOMICIDE:
INCIDENT TYPE: 187 PC Murder
LOCATION:  900 block N. Laurel CITY: Lindsay DATE:  9-14-12     TIME:  0714 hrs CASE NUMBER:  12-12101 VICTIM:  Michael Avalos, 20 years old, Lindsay

On the above date and time Deputies responded to a call of a suspicious missing person. The victim, Michael Avalos, was last seen on his front porch on 9/14/2012 at 0130 hours. At 0714 hours Avalos’ mother called the Sheriff’s Department and reported Avalos was not home and blood and the victim’s cell phone were found in the front yard of his residence. Violent Crimes detectives were called to investigate.

During the investigation, it was discovered the victim was last with S- Joshua Stepp, 23 years old, from Lindsay, and S-Nathan Hunt, 22 years old from Lindsay, next door at Hunt’s residence until about 0230 hours. There was blood located in Hunt’s front yard as well.

As the missing person investigation was underway, at 1245 hours, a rancher reported he had located a burnt vehicle with burnt human remains in his orchard at Ave 224 and Road 236, several miles southeast of Lindsay.  The vehicle came back registered to S-Stepp. The body was later identified as that of the victim, Michael Avalos.

Avalos had been stabbed in front of Hunt’s residence and transported to the orchard where and the vehicle had been set on fire. The stabbing is believed to be gang related. Avalos was a former gang member.

Hunt was arrested at his residence without incident. He was booked at the Main Jail for murder and accessory to murder after the fact. Stepp is also a former gang member. He is currently wanted for investigation of murder and should be considered armed and dangerous. 

Search warrants were served in the 19700 block of Road 231 in Strathmore and in the 600 block of N. Homassel in Lindsay. Stepp’s mother, Sandra Stepp, 58 years old, Lindsay was arrested without incident at her residence in the 600 block of  N. Homassel for accessory to murder after the fact and arson.

Anyone information should call Detective Frank Zaragoza at (559) 733-6211 or send anonymous information by calling, emailing or sending a text message to TCSO@tipnow.com or 1-800-TIPNOW.

Mugshots available on Sheriff' Flickr page at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tularecountysheriff/sets/72157631544204808/

PRIOR:
On 09-14-2012, at 1245 hours, the Tulare County Sheriff's Department was notified by a rancher he had located the burnt out remains of a vehicle with possible human remains inside.  Sheriff's Department personnel responded and located the unidentified remains of a male victim within the vehicle. 

Violent Crimes detectives are investigating the case.  Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Frank Zaragoza at 559-733-6218, 1-800-808-0488, or tcso@tipnow.com.

On 9-12-12 at approximately 2000hrs. Tulare County Sheriff Deputies responded to an address in the 40500 block of Rd. 40 in Kingsburg regarding a Marijuana grow. Upon arrival Deputies observed two large marijuana trees near the front of the residence visible from the roadway. 

Deputies contacted the home occupant a 30 year old Hispanic male. The subject advised the marijuana plants belonged to him and he cultivated them for medical purposes. However the subject did not have a medical marijuana license for the plants. 

The plants were eradicated. The plants were capable of producing 5 to 10 pounds of processed marijuana once cultivated, with an estimated street value of $15,000 to $25,000 dollars.   

Suspect: 30 year old Hispanic male adult not in custody pending further investigation. 

The case remains under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff Department. 

On 09-13-12 at 0430 hours, deputies responded to the intersection of Ave 144 & Road 208, Porterville to the North West corner for two subjects who were in the process of removing copper wire from a private property power pole which belonged to the victim. After contacting the victim by telephone, he stated nobody had permission to be removing copper wire from his property. 

During the investigation, it was learned that both suspects in this case, Ricky Hauk and Daniel Wilson are currently out on bail for previous crimes. Both suspects are being charged with Grand Theft, Felony Vandalism and for committing a crime while out on bail. Both suspects were booked at the Porterville substation with bail set at $45,000.

Taken into custody were:

S1: Hauk, Ricky 35 yrs, Porterville

S2: Wilson, Daniel 37 yrs, Porterville

On 09-12-12 at approximately 1930 hours, deputies responded to the area of 20100 block of Road 244 Strathmore, where the victim had located 240 bales of stolen hay which belonged to him. The victim reported the hay bales were taken from his property, located in the 23500 block of Ave 178, Porterville on property he currently farms. The victim estimated the loss to be $2,880. The victim told the investigating deputy, he was able to identify who had transported the hay to the location on Road 244 due to the close knit community of the hay industry.

During the investigation, the subject who originally purchased the hay was contacted at his residence, in the 20100 block of Road 244, Strathmore.  The subject was cooperative and stated he contacted the resident nearest the hay bales on Ave 178, to find out if they were for sale or who the rightful owner was. The occupant of the residence, Chris Barker claimed ownership of the hay and sold the subject the bales for $5 per bale, when the hay is currently selling for $12 per bale. Chris Barker did not own the hay and did not have permission to sale the hay. Chris Barker was taken into custody at his residence after being positively identified by the buyer, for Grand Theft and for being in possession of a sawed off rifle, which was located at his residence during a search. Chris Barker was arrested and booked at the Porterville substation.

All of the hay was accounted for at the site and will be returned to the victim on 09-13-12. 

If you have any further information in regards to this crime or any other crime, please contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department or the anonymous tip line at tcso.tipnow.com. This case is still under further investigation by Tulare County Sheriff’s Department. 

Taken into custody were:

Chris Barker 35 yrs, Porterville

On the above date and time Deputies responded to a call of a gun shot victim in the 900 block of E. Orange, Porterville. Deputies arrived on scene and found 2 victims suffering from gun shot wounds to the upper body.

During the investigation it was discovered that the victim #1 was visiting V #2. They were in the front yard when a group of male subjects approached on foot. Two of the suspects began firing at the victims. Both were struck in the upper body with shot gun rounds. Both victims were transported to area hospitals. Victim #1 underwent surgery and is currently in stable condition. Vitim #2 was treated and released. One of the victims is associated with a gang and the shooting does appear to be gang related. The case remains under investigation.

Anyone information should call Detective Joe Torres at (559) 733-6211 or send anonymous information by sending a text message or email to TCSO@tipnow.com or call 1-800-TIPNOW.  

(S) Anthony Ramirez 5-31-78
245 PC, 2800.2 PC 148 PC

On 9-10-12 at about 2030 hrs, Tulare County Deputies responded to an address in the 32400 block of Rd 156 regarding a subject requesting assistance. Investigation revealed the suspect was hallucinating and under the influence of narcotics. The suspect was inside a large SUV vehicle and rammed a fence to escape the area. The suspect was pursued to the area of Rd 160 and Walter Ave in Ivanhoe where the vehicle collided with a light pole a tree and fence. The suspect was apprehended without additional incident.
Case is under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriffs Department.