UPDATED INFORMATION:
10-25-11 - The Sheriff's Office has submitted samples of the remains to the DOJ Lab for possible DNA extraction. There is no estimated time frame to complete this process. An update will be posted as information is received.

 UPDATED INFORMATION:
10/12/11 - The Sheriff's Office is now investigating this case as a homicide.
Part of the skull fragment had an apparent gunshot wound in it.
The bone remains were identified to be parts of skull, vertebrae, partial upper jaw, lower jaw, femur and ribs.

The Sheriff's Office has not been able to determine the sex or age of the victim at this time.
The Sheriff's Office is contacting the Department of Justice Forensic Lab in Fresno for a DNA extraction.
We are continuing to cross check this information with known area missing person cases.

UPDATED INFORMATION:
10/11/2011 – The remains located at Highway 99 north of Traver were examined at the Coroner’s office today. The bones were confirmed human and they included a lower jaw bone with teeth, along with other bones from a human body. Further examination of the remains and further investigation will continue.

ORIGINALLY REPORTED
10/10/11 - Cal Trans employees contacted the Sheriff's Department and reported they located possible human bones at a work site, in the center divide of Highway 99 just north of Traver. Detectives from the Coroner Office, Crime Lab and Violent Crimes Units responded and are still on scene investigating at this time. More information is expected be released as the investigation continues.
 

Narrative:

Suspect: Jerry Gonzalez  Age: 18 yrs

On 10-24-2011 at 2239hrs Deputies responded to the school for an alarm activation in a class room. Upon arrival and checking the school buildings two class rooms with open windows and evidence that someone had entered the classrooms were located. Deputies located a large amount of property outside one of the two class rooms. While deputies were conducting the investigation an assisting deputy arrived in the area he began checking the area for suspect/s. A vehicle was seen exiting a vineyard a short distance away from the school. This vehicle was stopped and the occupants detained after locating evidence linking the driver and passenger to the burglary at the school. The second suspect was found to be a 17 year old juvenile. The adult suspect was booked at the Tulare County Main Jail on one count each of Burglary and Possession of stolen property. The juvenile suspect was later booked at the Juvenile Detention Facility on one count each of Burglary and Possession of Stolen Property.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department at 800-808-0488 or 559-733-6218.

Deputies from the Tulare County Sheriffs Departments as well as Officers from the Visalia Police Department responded to a walnut orchard in north Visalia in response to a theft of walnuts in progress.  The suspects were confronted by a ranch manager and fled on foot across the St. Johns River.  Responding Visalia Police Department units detained the group as they crossed the river.  Subsequent investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff's Department found the group had stolen approximately 600 pounds of walnuts. Approximately 220 pounds of walnuts were located in one of the suspects vehicle and the remainder were found staged in bags along the river bank.  The adult suspects were booked into the Tulare County Main Jail and the Juvenile suspects into Juvenile Hall. 

Suspects  1)  Carlos Santa Cruz   31yrs.
                2)   Ruben Pena  21 yrs
                3)  Sarn Saetern 20 yrs
                4)  Male Juvenile 17 yrs
                5)  Male Juvenile 17yrs

Deputies from the Headquarters Station responded to the area of Ave 328 and Rd 158 in Ivanhoe on October 20^th 2011 at approximately 2333 hrs, regarding a report of a carjacking. The victim reported a known male had assaulted him and took his 1988 Chevrolet Pickup. The pickup was later located and recovered in the City of Visalia. The victim refused medical treatment at the scene

On 10/21/11 at 2200 hrs The known suspect identified as Scott Meyer was located and arrested in the City of Visalia and booked into the Tulare County Main Jail. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Detective Gary Marks with the North End Investigations Unit at (559)735-1856.

Taken into custody was:

The Tulare County Sheriff's Department is investigating unidentified human remains which were located in a travel trailer at a residence in the Porterville are. Detectives responded to the residence following up on a 2008 missing persons case. The investigation is continuing to identify the remains which were located. It is unknown at this time if the remains are that of the missing person. Further information will be released upon conclusion of the autopsy and the identification of the decedent.

On October 19, 2011 at approximately 1630 hours, the Gang Violence Suppression Unit served a search warrant in the 40200 block of Cindy, Cutler.  This warrant service was in relation to a shooting that occurred on October 3rd, 2011 in the 12900 block of School Ave, Cutler.  During the execution of the search warrant, a firearm was located along with Marijuana and packaging materials.  Other items of evidence were also located and four subjects were taken into custody on various charges.  Below are the subjects arrested as well as their charges.
11359 H&S / 11357 H&S / 186.22 PC / 12021 PC / 12316(b) PC / 647(f) PC / 166.4 PC 
1.    Rolando Najera (23 years) Felon in possession of a firearm, marijuana possession for sales, felon in possession of ammunition, gang enhancement and violation of Gang Injunction Order. 
2.    Ernesto Perez (18 years) Public intoxication and Possession of marijuana.   
3.    Fabian Magana (20 years) Possession of marijuana for sales.   
4.    Lupe Najera (20 years) Possession of marijuana for sales and violation of Gang Injunction order.
This case is currently under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Gang Violence Suppression Unit.  Anyone with any information on gang violence is urged to call the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at 559-733-6218

Suspect: Booher, James Garnet, age 46 of Exeter
Suspect: Booher, James Chandler, age 18 of Exeter
Suspect: Ramirez, Mia Elizabeth, age 28 or Exeter
 

On 10-19-11 the Inter Agency Narcotic Enforcement Team (I.N.E.T.) consisting of personnel from Exeter Police Department, Visalia Police Department, Lindsay Police Department, Farmersville Police Department, Tulare County Probation and the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department concluded a four week narcotic investigation by serving a search warrant in the 900 Block of South Kaweah in the City of Exeter.

Detectives secured and searched the residence. Detectives located several pounds of processed marijuana and a small amount of methamphetamine. Detectives located several glass pipes and a small digital hand scale.

Detectives arrested James Garnet Booher for possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sales, allowing a location for the purpose of use/sales of narcotics. Detectives arrested James Chandler Booher for possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sales, possession of drug paraphernalia; allowing a location for the purpose of use/sales of narcotics, fail to comply with a police officer. Suspect Mia Elizabeth Ramirez was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia and false information to a police officer.

Both male suspects were transported and booked into the Tulare County Main Jail and the female suspect was transported and booked into the Tulare County Bob Wiley Detention Facility.

Victims:
#1 25 year Old Male from Visalia, Injuries to face
#2 34 Year Old Male from Visalia, Injuries to torso

Suspect:
Puente, Eduardo  47 Years Old  From Terra Bella

11-17-2011, 0250 Hours TCSO Deputies were dispatched to the suspect's residence regarding a shooting.  Investigation revealed  the two victims had went to the suspect's residence to repossess the suspect's vehicle.  The suspect fired one round from inside the residence as the victims walked up the driveway.  The victim's were transported to Sierra View Hospital by private vehicle.  Victim#1  was later transported to a Fresno Area l Hospital for further treatment.  Victim #1 is listed in critical but stable condition.  Victim #2 sustainined non-life threatning injuries.

The suspected was arrest and booked that the Porterville Sub Station for  664/187 PC.  The suspect will be transported to the Main Jail Facility for further booking.

On Saturday, October 15 2011, at approximately 0030 hours, Tulare County Sheriff’s Deputies observed a vehicle driving out of a walnut orchard in the area of Ave 256 and Rd 124 in Tulare.. A traffic stop was initiated and four subjects were subsequently taken into custody for theft of walnuts.

Suspects :

Andras Lee
Matthew Tupper
Francisco Garcia-Palomino
Victor Comala

UPDATED INFORMATION
On 10/13/2011 an autopsy was performed. The cause of death was determined to be multiple gunshot wounds.

During the investigation, there were 100 marijuana plants found on the property where the murder occurred. This was within the doctor recommendations. However, the site was not in compliance with the Tulare County Ordinance for marijuana grow sites in the County of Tulare.

This case remains under investigation and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Tulare County Sheriff's Department at 559-733-6211

On the above date and time the deputies working the Earlimart area were dispatched to theft of bee hives.  Upon there arrival they were informed by the property’s owner who was a representative of the victim company that they had located some bee hive which had been stolen over the last few months but had not been report stolen.

They were informed that over the last few months over 500 bee hives had been missing and they suspected that a former employee may have been responsible for some of the thefts.

Detectives from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Ag Crimes Unit responded to assist in the investigation.   Information was developed by the Tulare County Sheriff’s department during the investigation which led to the arrest of Jose Alarcon Gonzalez from the Delano area and the recovery of 123 of the reported stolen bee hives valued at $20,800.  

Alarcon Gonzalez was subsequently  booked into the Tulare County jail for grand theft and possession of stolen property.     

UPDATED INFORMATION:

10/12/11 - The Sheriff's Office is now investigating this case as a homicide.
Part of the skull fragment had an apparent gunshot wound in it.
The bone remains were identified to be parts of skull, vertebrae, partial upper jaw, lower jaw, femur and ribs. 
The Sheriff's Office has not been able to determine the sex or age of the victim at this time.
The Sheriff's Office is contacting the Department of Justice Forensic Lab in Fresno for a DNA extraction.
We are continuing to cross check this information with known area missing person cases.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Sheriff's Office at (559) 733-6218 or can be done anonymously by calling, or texting information to “tipnow” line at 559-725-4194 or by email to tcso@tipnow.com.

Sheriff deputies were dispatched to shots fired in the 20100 block of Road 244 near Strathmore. Upon arrival they found the victim deceased on scene with multiple gun shot wounds in a medicinal marijuana grow site. Violent Crimes and Crime Lab detectives responded to investigate.

During the investigation detectives discovered the victim was at the residence visiting. He woke up and went outside when he heard a disturbance. There he was shot by a subject who was in the process of stealing marijuana.

Detectives are still on scene and the case remains under investigation.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Sheriff's Office at (559) 733-6218

UPDATED INFORMATION:
10/11/2011 – The remains located at Highway 99 north of Traver were examined at the Coroner’s office today. The bones were confirmed human and they included a lower jaw bone with teeth, along with other bones from a human body. Further examination of the remains and further investigation will continue.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Tulare County Sheriff's Department which can be done anonymously by calling, or texting information to “tipnow” line at 559-725-4194 or by email to tcso@tipnow.com.

PREVIOUSLY REPORTED
10/10/11 - Cal Trans employees contacted the Sheriff's Department and reported they located possible human bones at a work site, in the center divide of Highway 99 just north of Traver. Detectives from the Coroner Office, Crime Lab and Violent Crimes Units responded and are still on scene investigating at this time. More information is expected be released as the investigation continues.

Suspect:   Joseph Ponciano, (49), Tulare.

During a traffic stop, the driver, Joseph Ponciano, was found to have a suspended driver’s license, and two misdemeanor warrants.  Upon arrest, Ponciano was found in possession of suspected Methamphetamine.