Suspect #1 Timothy Currin   53 yrs

Strathmore, Ca./ Charges : 11377/ 11378/ 11366 H&S Bail: $50,000.00

Suspect #2 Donna Webster  50 yrs

Strathmore, Ca. / Charges 11377/ 11378/ 11366 H&S Bail: $50,000.00

Suspect #3 Melissa Turner Donice  41 Yrs

Strathmore, Ca. / Charges: 11358 H&S Bail: $20,000.00

Suspect #4  Cody Cizek  21 Yrs

Strathmore, Ca. /  Charges: 11377/ 11364 H&S 12020 PC Bail: $20,000.00

Suspect  #5  Brittany Byrnes   22 Yrs

Strathmore, Ca. / Charges: Arrest warrant  11550 H&S  Bail $15,000.00

Suspect #6 Carl Jones  26 Yrs

Strathmore, Ca. / Charges:  3 Arrest Warrants
                                                                    2 for 11550 H&S 1 for 11377 H&S
                                                                    Total bail $50,000.00


After an approximate Two (2) week investigation into illegal narcotics trafficking in the unincorporated area of  the Strathmore area investigators from the Sheriff’s Departments Narcotics Division were lead to a residence in the 19500 Blk of RD 230 where a search warrant was served.  The ensuing investigation and search revealed approximately 6.4 grams of Methamphetamine packaged for sales, 1.7 grams of processed marijuana, scales, packaging materials and indicia related to the sales of illegal narcotics as well as maintaining a residence for illicit narcotic sales. Seventeen (17) Marijuana plants were located as well, growing both indoors and outdoors.
Other subjects were located in the residence as well. All the suspects were booked at their respective Tulare County Jail Facilities for the listed charges and are being held in lieu of bail at this time.
Booking photos for the listed suspects are available through the Main Jail.

S1- Ricardo Lapoyeu,  35 yoa, Out of Southern Calif.
S2-Victor Sautzo, 22 yoa, Out of Los Angles area
S3-Muyuc Adqui, 19 yoa, Out of Los Angles area.
On the above date and time detectives of the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office S.T.E.P. unit responded to the area of the Kaweah River in the 18400 block of Ave. 312 for a report of suspicious activity suspected of being a large marijuana grow in the area near the river.  Upon arrival, detective’s set-up a perimeter around a heavily wooded section of the river bottom and, with the assistance of the Sheriff’s Dept. surveillance aircraft, began a slow methodical clearing of the woods. As detectives located and approached the east side of a large marijuana grow site, three suspects fled out the in the opposite direction into the surrounding berry brambles. The suspects left behind one rifle when they fled out of their camp. Evidence of several additional handguns was later located in the campsite.

Detectives conducted a search of the area and ultimately captured the three above listed suspects hiding in the thick under growth. The subsequent investigation found that they had planted 2,558 marijuana plants in clearings and trails through the berry brambles. A well supplied camp/kitchen area was located on the edge of the garden hidden in a cleared out area under the foliage. Ammunition and a small gas powered water pump were recovered from the camp.  The garden was eradicated without further incident.   If allowed to mature the 2,558 marijuana plants could produce in excess of 5,000 pounds of processed marijuana. Street price for a pound of marijuana in California is in excess of $3,000 per pound. If shipped to the east coast a pound of marijuana goes for several times that amount.

All suspects were charged with cultivation of marijuana, Possession for sale and Possession of a firearm in commission of a felony. S1– Lapoyeu was found to have a felony warrant out of Riverside for Child Endangerment. All three suspects were also found to be illegal immigrants from Guatemala. ICE holds were placed on all suspects in addition to the above listed charges.


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

Narrative:

Suspect: Oscar Cabrera Age. 22 yrs Address: Lindsay

On 04/24/2012 / 1700 hours, Deputies were dispatched to a residential burglary in the 13500 block of Rd. 152.

The reporting party advised that someone had forced entry into their residence and garage while they were away from the residence.

The reporting party reported that miscellaneous jewelry, electronic equipment and two Yamaha quads had been stolen.

During the investigation an officer from the Lindsay Police Department had located and contacted Cabrera in the Lindsay area and found him to be in possession of one of the stolen quads. Cabrera was subsequently arrested and booked into the Tulare County Jail for burglary and possession of stolen property.

The case is under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department. Any one with information regarding this case is asked to contacted Detective Michael Rubalcaba at (24 hours) 559-733-6218 or (7 AM to 5 PM) 559-735-1853.

Suspect:
Jeremy Rocha, age  33 of Visalia

On 4/23/12 at 1100 hrs members of the Tulare County Sheriff's Dept. S.T.E.P. Unit responded to the above listed location for the service of a Search Warrant on a marijuana grow reported by neighbors concerned about their safety. Upon arrival detectives contacted the above listed suspect for service of the warrant. The subsequent investigation revealed that the suspect had a valid medical recommendation; however he was growing over his allowed number of plants. The suspect had a medical recommend allowing a total of 70 medical marijuana plants to be grown. It should be noted that doctors recommending marijuana routinely allow the arbitrary number of up to 90 plants to be grown solely because this is under the 100 plant threshold for federal prosecutions. Even 70 outdoor marijuana plants are able to produce several hundred pounds of usable bud over the course of a season when under the care of a competent grower, clearly in excess of any single persons “medical needs.”

It was also found that substandard electrical work had been done on the residence to facilitate the grow creating a fire danger. This information was reported to Edison for later action. In addition it was found that the grow site was protected in a number of manners, the fencing surrounding the property was topped with razor wire and patrolled by several large Pit Bull dogs, a sophisticated surveillance system was operating which included multiple cameras. The suspect was armed with a semi-automatic handgun. It should be noted that while this is a county address it is in a residential area. At the time of the search warrant service small children were playing in the immediate area.

Detectives counted a total of 93 live growing plants, these plants had been started from clones inside a greenhouse, all were heavily budded and ready for the first harvest. Upon determination of the count being over what was legally allowed, the above listed suspect was detained. He refused to answer any questions about the marijuana cultivation. The amount of marijuana found was clearly in excess of the above listed suspect’s medical needs, he was arrested and booked without incident.

It is an ongoing problem that persons are obtaining medical marijuana recommends from doctors who allow them to grow plants well in excess of their medical needs, then sell the excess to a dispensary or on the street. The above suspect was arrested and charged with cultivation of marijuana and possession for sales. The marijuana bud if allowed to mature would have a street value well in excess of $3,000 per plant.

In addition to the above, the owner of the property was provided notification advising that allowing cultivation of marijuana is a Federal felony. Allowing a renter to do this exposes the property to seizure by the Federal government through  asset forfeiture.

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

Narrative:

On the above date and time deputies from the Orosi Substation were dispatched to an apartment complex in near School Street and Road 128 for a report of a gun shot wound victim. They arrived and found the victim suffering from gunshot wounds. The victim died at the scene.

Detectives from the Violent Crimes Unit were called. During the investigation it was discovered the victim stopped at a market with friends at Ave 416 and Road 128 when another vehicle arrived. A confrontation ensued and the victim was shot in the upper body. He was driven back to apartments on Road 128 where the residence called for help. The victim died at the scene.

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.   

On 4-20-12 at about 7:25 pm, personnel from the sheriff department’s gang violence suppression unit responded to a residence in the 38700 block of Rd 140 Yettem to do a search on the “terms and conditions” set forth by probation.  As the detectives approached, two subjects ran from the backyard of an adjacent residence where a medicinal marijuana grow site was located.  The two subjects were later apprehended and identified as Mayolo Leggoreta (27 years) and Jose Ramirez (43 years).  Through further investigation, it was determined that the two subjects had been illegally tending to the grow site.  They did not have “recommendations” to grow medicinal marijuana and they were not “care givers” for the subjects growing it.  They were transported and booked into the Tulare County Main Jail for cultivation of marijuana and for delaying a peace officer. 

The case is still under investigation by the sheriff’s department.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Department at 559-733-6218 or you can remain anonymous by sending your information to tcso@tipnow.com or by texting to (559) 725-4194.

On 4-20-12 at approx. 0121hrs. Deputies with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the area of Rd 132 and Ave 328, Visalia regarding a report an assault with a deadly weapon. The victim advised a subject posing as a police officer stopped her and assaulted her.

Suspect Info:  HMA 35-40 YOA, 5’08”, 160 lbs, black short hair, brown or dark hazel eyes, the suspect had a mole on the right side of his face, just below cheek bone and a mustache.  The suspect was wearing a black uniform with brown patches on both shoulders and a silver name plate.

Suspect Vehicle: Described as an older boxy white sedan with emergency lights on either the roof or top of windshield.   

Case is under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department North End Detective Unit. Any information should be forwarded to Detective M. Webb at TCSO@tipnow.com  (559) 733-6218.

Victim - Woodlake Airport

Suspect 1 - 16 year old male juvenile/confidential

Suspect 2 - 16 year old male juvenile/confidential

On 4-19-12 at approx. 1123 hrs. Sheriff's Deputies responded to the area of the Woodlake Airport regarding shots being fired in the area and rounds impacting buildings at the Woodlake Airport. during the investigation 2 male juveniles were contacted just south of the airport in possession of several firearms. During the investigation it was determined the suspects were shooting near the Friant Kern Canal in the direction of the airport and the rounds that impacted buildings at the airport matched the caliber to one of the firearms the suspects were in possession of. It was also determined two of the firearms were taken without the owners consent. The suspects were arrested for negligent discharge of a firearm/theft of a firearm along with numerous additional charges and booked into the Tulare County Juvenile Hall.

During the incident no injuries were reported, no aircraft was damaged and the Woodlake Airport buildings received minor damage.

Case under investigation by TCSO

On 4-19-12 @ 2305 hours units were dispatched to a disturbance in the 1500 block of E. Joanne street in Pixley.  Upon arrival a Deputy contacted the homeowner  who said the suspect, Eugene Whaley, was beating his girlfriend.  Subsequently, the Deputy proceeded toward Whaley who was seen  kneeling by a vehicle near the driveway.  Whaley was contacted and escorted to a patrol unit where he began to resist detention.  During the incident, Whaley intentionally kicked the Deputy in the groin, which required the Deputy to physically subdue and arrest him without further  incident.  Whaley was later transported and booked into custody at Porterville Substation.

The case remains under investigation by TCSO.     

Loss - undetermined at this time

Suspect's - 3 black male adults

Victim reports on 4-18-12 at approx. 1230 hrs. 3 black male adults entered the business and robbed him at gunpoint. The suspects removed numerous containers and bags of "medical marijuana" resulting in an undetermined amount of loss at this time. The suspects then fled the area in a small silver/gray colored vehicle in an unknown direction.

No injuries were reported during the incident and the case is currently under investigation by TCSO.

***VICTIMS REQUEST THEIR NAMES REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL***

On 04-18-12 at approximately 1435 hours the victim reported to TCSO that he had located a suspicious object in the roadway. The victim believed the item to be an explosive device.

TCSO Deputies responded to the scene and requested the assistance of the Tulare County Consolidated Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit.  The EOD Unit responded and examined the object and determined it to be an illegal functioning explosive device.

The EOD Unit rendered the device safe. The case is under active investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact TCSO at (559) 725-4194 or at tcso@tipnow.com.

The Tulare County Consolidated Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit is comprised of law enforcement staff from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office and the Visalia City Police Department.

On 4-18-12 at approx. 2210 hrs. Deputies with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a residence near Ave.376 / Rd.58, London regarding a report of two victims that had been shot.  The victims, both local transients, were shot by unknown suspects while they lay in bed.  During the course of the investigation no suspects were identified and no witnesses were located with any investigative leads or information.

The two victims sustained moderate wounds as a result of the gun shots and are expected to recover from their injuries.

Case is under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department North End Detective Unit. Any information should be forwarded to Detective C. Bruce at (559) 733-6218. 

Felony warrant  211 PC bail $25,000
Misdemeanor warrant 14601 VC bail $10,000


TCSO Deputies responded to a residence on the 300 block of east Lincoln to serve arrest warrants on the suspect. As Deputies were making contact, the suspect fled from the rear of the residence. The suspect attempt to evade arrest by jumping into an irrigation ditch with water, and running across Plano in front of cross traffic. The suspect then hid in an orchard on the east side of Plano. The orchard was surrounded by law enforcement officers from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, Porterville City Police Department, California Highway Patrol, and California Fish and Game.  Various resources were used to search the orchard including the fix wing aircraft from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department and a K9 unit from the Porterville City Police Department.
 
The suspect was located and taken into custody, and later booked into the Sheriff’s Porterville Substation.   
 

Taken into custody were:

Oscar Edgar Salazar  21 yoa

On 4-16-2012 at approximately 0600 hours, Deputies conducted a check of a suspicious vehicle parked near Demaree and Pratt Rd. in Visalia.  After further investigation and a search of the vehicle, a pipe containing suspected Methamphetamine was located in the vehicle.  The two occupants of the vehicle, Cheryl James and Sherman Carr, were arrested and booked for Possession of a Controlled Substance.


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

Taken into custody were: 

Cheryl James (46 years), Visalia
Sherman Carr (52 years), Visalia

On 4-17-12 at approx. 2107 hrs. deputies with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a residence in the 32800 block of Rd 160, Ivanhoe for a report of a fight in progress.  The victim, a confidential 38 yr. old male, told deputies that several subjects robbed him of cash at gunpoint.  The suspects fled the scene prior to deputies arriving.

During the course of the investigation deputies located four subjects who were subsequently found to have committed the robbery.  The four suspects were booked at the Main Jail for robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm while committing a felony, conspiracy, and participation in a criminal street gang.

Suspect #1 – Jose Francisco Barba, 26 yrs. old, resident of Orange Cove

Suspect #2 – Jose Trinidad Lopez Jr., 22 yrs. old, resident of Fresno

Suspect #3 – Aurelio Carreon, 18 yrs old, resident of Orosi

Suspect #4 – Victor Lopez 27 yrs. old, resident of Visalia 

Case is under investigation by TCSO