On 1-28-13 at 1445 hrs, deputies were dispatched to the 200 block of Wheatland in Richgrove, regarding four suspicious Hispanic male juveniles removing property from as white compact vehicle.

Deputies locate the vehicle at Wheatland and Francis, where a traffic stop was conducted.  During the Traffic stop it was determined the juvenile operating the vehicle was unlicensed.  A search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of stolen property, from a burglary in the city of Delano.

A subsequent search of the residence in the 200 block of Wheatland resulted in the recovery of additional stolen property from the same burglary in Delano.

All four juveniles were arrested for 496 PC (Possession of Stolen Property) and booked into the Tulare County Juvenile Detention Facility.


Anyone with information about this crime should contact Detective Maria Lomeli or Detective Joe Rodriguez at the Tulare County Sheriff's Department South End Property Crimes Unit, (559) 782-9674 or (559) 733-6218.

Sheriff Bill Wittman will be holding a public ceremony to promote Detectives Jose Torres, Jordan Whaley and Nathan Polk to the rank of Sergeant on Monday, January 28, 2013 at 10:00 AM.  The ceremony will be held at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Headquarters’ Lobby. Friends and family will also be present to show their support.

Sergeant Jose Torres, age 34 of Visalia, began his career in law enforcement after completing the Tulare-Kings County Police Academy in 2000.  He was hired by the Sheriff’s Office in December of that year.  Jose Torres was originally assigned to the Main Jail Facility.  In 2004, he transferred to the Porterville Patrol Station.  While there, he became a Field Training Officer and the Richgrove Community Based Officer.  He also worked with the Sheriff’s Explorer and Police Activities League Programs.  The Porterville service clubs awarded him the 2005 Officer of the Year.  In 2007, Jose Torres was transferred to the Sheriff’s Tactical Enforcement Personnel (STEP) Unit.  He was a SWAT team member, team leader and worked numerous investigations into drug trafficking.  Jose Torres took his latest assignment with the Violent Crimes Unit in 2010.  He has worked numerous homicide, officer involved shooting and death investigation cases.  In 2011, he received the Attorney General Award for his investigative work in the Homicide Investigations Unit.

Sergeant Jose Torres is one of our bilingual officers and has specialized training in a number of areas.  This includes Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), narcotics, homicide and death investigations, and was also trained as a SWAT Team Leader.  He has also received letters of commendations for his investigative work.

Jose Torres is supported in his new assignment by his wife of 3 years, Leticia and his daughter Vivian.

Sergeant Jordan Whaley, age 28 of Visalia, is a Graduate of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Business.  He also graduated from the Alan Hancock Police Academy in Santa Maria in December of 2006. Jordan Whaley began his law enforcement career as a Deputy Sheriff for San Luis Obispo County working in patrol and investigations.  He came to the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office in July of 2008 where he was stationed at the Orosi Patrol Station.  In March of 2010, he was transferred to his latest assignment in the Agricultural Crimes Investigations Unit.
 
Sergeant Jordan Whaley attended the Leadership Farm Program in 2011 and is on the Farm Bureau Board of Directors.  He is supported in his new assignment by his wife, Karen, Father, Retired Undersheriff David Whaley, mother, Kathy, sister, Jennifer Stepp and brother, Visalia Police Department Detective Jared Whaley.

Sergeant Nathan Polk, age 39 of Lemoore began his career with the Sheriff’s Office in June of 1999 assigned to the Bob Wiley Detention Facility.  He also had the opportunity to work at the Adult Pre-Trial Facility.  In 2002, he was transferred to the Pixley Patrol Station.  While stationed in Pixley, he became a Field Training Officer and the Tipton Community Based Officer.  He worked with the Sheriff’s Explorers and the Police Activities League.  In 2008, Nathan Polk was transferred to the Agricultural Crimes Investigations Unit and the following year, he moved to the South County Investigations Unit.  Nathan Polk also worked the Narcotics Investigations Unit in 2012 before returning back to his latest assignment in the Agricultural Crimes Investigations Unit.

Sergeant Nathan Polk is supported in his new assignment by his wife of 18 years, Shelly, his daughter Baily and two sons Daniel and Landon. 

Sheriff Bill Wittman offers his sincere congratulations to Sergeants Jose Torres, Jordan Whaley and Nathan Polk, and wishes them well in their new assignments. The public is welcome to join the department, friends and family in the Sheriff’s Headquarters’ Lobby Monday, January 28, 2013 at 10:00 AM to celebrate the promotions.

Refreshments to follow. 

Photos of the Sergeants are available on the Sheriff's Flickr page at:
http://www.flickr.com/people/tularecountysheriff

On 01-25-13 at approximately 0949 hrs, Deputies from the Orosi Substation observed a suspicious vehicle on Johnson Dr. near Dr. 152. Once contact was made with the only occupant of the vehicle, Mario Mendoza, Deputies found him in possession of what appeared to be methamphetamine.  Mendoza 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:
Mario Mendoza

Charges:   H&S 11377

On 01-25-13, at approximately 0700 hrs. the Tulare County Sheriff's Department Narcotics Division, along with personnel from the Interagency Narcotic Enforcement Team concluded a two week investigation by serving a search warrant in the 400 block of N. Valencia, in Woodlake

During the search of the residence detectives discovered a small amount of methamphetamine, packaging material and other drug paraphernalia. Detectives also located evidence showing the suspect is an active gang member.

Suspect Juan Carlos Iniguez, age 21 of Woodlake, was arrested for the following charges: possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal street gang activity.  Suspect Iniguez was booked into the Tulare County Main Jail.

This case is still under investigation.

Taken into custody were: Justino Leon Age 29

Charges: Grand theft, Possession of stolen property

On 01-24-13, deputies responded to Setton Farms in Terra Bella in regards to a theft of pistachios. Upon contacting the plant manager, he stated a known subject who was a previous employee, had returned to the business at 0220 hours on 01-24-13 and removed 19 boxes of processed pistachios. Plant Manager advised the loss was estimated to be $2,375.

Deputies contacted the alleged suspect at his residence in the 100 block of W. Vine, Porterville and recovered the stolen pistachios. Suspect was arrested and booked at the Porterville Substation.

UPDATED INFORMATION 01-23-13:
On Wednesday, 01/23/2013 an autopsy was performed on Lopez. The cause of death was determined to be exsanguination due to gunshot wound.
  

UPDATED INFORMATION:
The deceased victim has been identified as Osevio Anguiano Lopez 34 years old from Porterville. The case remains under investigation.

PREVIOUS INFORMATION:
On 01/19/2013 at 2145 hours, CHP Officers stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation and found the victim in the driver’s seat, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. A second victim was a passenger in the vehicle with a gunshot wound to the upper body. Deputies and medical aide were called to the scene.

The victims were reportedly in the area of the Woodville Labor Camp when unknown subject(s) fired at the victims while they were in their vehicle. Victim 1, a Hispanic male adult in his 30’s, was transported to an area hospital by helicopter where he later died. Victim 2, a Hispanic male adult in his 20’s, was transported by ambulance to an area hospital where he was treated and released. Violent Crimes Detectives responded and the case remains under investigation.

Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to contact Det. Merced Zamora or Det. Jose Torres at (559) 735-1898, or anonymously using Tipnow by phone or text to (559) 725-4194, or by email: tcso@tipnow.com.

On 1-23-13, at 0906 hours, Deputies with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched to a residence in Porterville regarding a home invasion. Upon arrival the victims, all family members, were located scared but unharmed. During the subsequent investigation it was discovered that 3 suspects entered the home through the locked front door, placed each victim on the ground and secured their hands behind their backs. The residence was ransacked and as the suspects fled, they took the victims vehicle.
   

The case is under investigation by TCSO

UPDATED INFORMATION:

The deceased victim has been identified as Osevio Anguiano Lopez 34 years old from Porterville. The case remains under investigation.

PREVIOUS INFORMATION:

On 01/19/2013 at 2145 hours, CHP Officers stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation and found the victim in the driver’s seat, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. A second victim was a passenger in the vehicle with a gunshot wound to the upper body. Deputies and medical aide were called to the scene.

The victims were reportedly in the area of the Woodville Labor Camp when unknown subject(s) fired at the victims while they were in their vehicle. Victim 1, a Hispanic male adult in his 30’s, was transported to an area hospital by helicopter where he later died. Victim 2, a Hispanic male adult in his 20’s, was transported by ambulance to an area hospital where he was treated and released. Violent Crimes Detectives responded and the case remains under investigation.

Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to contact Det. Merced Zamora or Det. Jose Torres at (559) 735-1898, or anonymously using Tipnow by phone or text to (559) 725-4194, or by email: tcso@tipnow.com.

On 01/19/13 at approximately 0100 hours deputies from the Orosi Substation responded to an address in the 6800 block of Avenue 416, regarding a robbery of a mobile food vendor.  Once on scene deputies determined four to five suspects brandished firearms at victim #2.  The suspects took victim #2’s wallet and cash from the business.

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

Taken into custody were:  N/A  

On 01/19/2013 at 2145 hours, CHP Officers stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation and found the victim in the driver’s seat, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. A second victim was a passenger in the vehicle with a gunshot wound to the upper body. Deputies and medical aide were called to the scene. 

The victims were reportedly in the area of the Woodville Labor Camp when unknown subject(s) fired at the victims while they were in their vehicle. Victim 1, a Hispanic male adult in his 30’s, was transported to an area hospital by helicopter where he later died. Victim 2, a Hispanic male adult in his 20’s, was transported by ambulance to an area hospital where he was treated and released. Violent Crimes Detectives responded and the case remains under investigation. 

Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to contact Det. Merced Zamora or Det. Jose Torres at (559) 735-1898, or anonymously using Tipnow by phone or text to (559) 725-4194, or by email: tcso@tipnow.com.

On 1/19/13 at approximately 2252 hours, Pixley Patrol Deputies responded to shots fired in the Earlimart.

South End Detectives also responded and the investigation revealed that the juvenile victim had been visiting family in Earlimart when an unknown vehicle approached him and occupants within the vehicle shot at him.  As a result of the shooting the victim sustained non life threatening injuries. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for his injuries and is in stable condition.

Anyone with information regarding this incident can contact South End Investigations Detective Maria Lomeli at (559)733-6218. 

On above date and time Deputies from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched to the above listed residence regarding a home invasion.  Upon arrival, (V) Confidential per 293 PC, reported waking up at 0230 hours to find her rear kitchen door open and items belonging in her residence missing.  As a result, she reported a loss of $1,600.00. 

Deputies followed investigative leads and learned that (S) Anthony Castro had been spotted inside the victim’s residence.  The victim further claimed she had been having problems with Castro who had been following her for several months, harassing her over the telephone and unlawfully entering her home on more than one occasion.

At approximately 1840 hours, Deputies returned to the residence and learned that Castro had returned to the crime scene, unlawfully re-entered the home and left unwanted items of affection. Castro was subsequently located, arrested and booked into the Tulare County Main Jail without further incident. 

The case remains under investigation. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to call the Tulare County Sheriff's Department (559) 733-6218 or send anonymous information by sending a text message or email to TCSO@tipnow.com or call 1-800-TIPNOW.   

On 1-16-13 sometime after 10:00 pm, the 21 year old victim was preparing to leave a friends residence at the Indian Reservation while standing next to her vehicle.   The victim was then confronted by Luis Teran (30 years), who assaulted the victim and forced her into her vehicle against her will.  Teran then drove the victim further into the mountain area, threatened to kill her and proceeded to physically assault her over a period of time until she lost consciousness.

On 1-17-13 during the morning hours, Teran drove the victim from the Indian Reservation into the City of Porterville and rented a room at an undisclosed motel.  During that time, family members became concerned for the whereabouts of the victim and notified the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department.  A short time later, deputies from the sheriff’s Porterville substation located the victim inside her vehicle, and found Teran a short distance away at the motel room.

Teran was detained for investigation, and the victim was transported by ambulance to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.  During the investigation, detectives were called out and it was determined that Teran was suspected of committing domestic violence, terrorist threats, kidnapping, carjacking and assault with a deadly weapon upon the victim.

The victim’s injuries were considered non-life threatening, and she was later released from the hospital.  Teran was arrested and later booked into the sheriff’s Porterville substation with bail set at $100,000.00.  
 
Anyone with information about this activity 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.