After an approximate two (2) week investigation into illegal narcotics trafficking in the Visalia area, investigators from the Sheriff’s Department’s Narcotics Division were lead to a residence in the 1600 Blk of N. Goddard where a search warrant was served.  The ensuing investigation and search revealed that the listed suspects were in possession of approximately 2.11 ounces of Methamphetamine, 1.25 ounces of Marijuana, indicia related to the sale of illegal narcotics, maintaining a residence for illicit narcotic sales, destruction of evidence, delaying an officer as well as child endangerment and a felon in possession of ammunition.

Richard Frausto Medina, age 29 of Visalia: 11377/ 11378/ 11379/ 11366 H&S 135 PC/ 273(a) PC/ 148 PC 30305 PC
Yvette Leyba, age 30 of Visalia: 11377/ 11378/ 11366 H&S 148 PC 273(a) PC

All suspects booked at their respective Tulare County Jail facilities on the listed charges.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Division (559) 713-2950.

On 6-11-12 at 1219 hrs, Deputies responded to a residential burglary in the 1600 block of S. Crestview in Porterville. 

The investigation revealed Jose Martinez and Dustin Sheldon committed a burglary at the residence.  They were confronted by a neighbor and fled in an older model red Jeep Cherokee.  The vehicle crashed just south of the scene, rolling over, but landed upright and resumed its flight.  The vehicle became disabled at Plano and H190, where Dustin Sheldon and Jose Martinez were seen with the vehicle.  Jose Martinez fled, but Dustin Sheldon was contacted and detained near the vehicle.  The ensuing investigation has also linked Jose Martinez and Dustin Sheldon to a burglary which occurred in the 20000 block of Rd 256 in the Strathmore area on 6-10-11.

Jose Martinez is currently wanted for questioning on several burglaries in county areas. Any one with information is encouraged to contact Det. Joe Rodriguez or Sgt. Jim Mckay at T.C.S.O. South County Property Crimes Office (559)782-9674.

24 hours (559) 733-6211
Toll Free (800) 808-0488

You may also send an anonymous tip to the Sheriff's TipNow Program.  You can send a voicemail, text or e-mail to (559) 725-4194  tcso@tipnow.com

Photo of Jose Martinez available  at: 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tularecountysheriff/7408870820/in/photostream                              

Narrative:

Suspect: Rodriguez, Andy 10/14/87

At the aforementioned mentioned time, deputies were dispatched to a residence in the 200 block of North Thompson Street in Tipton regarding a subject who was threatening to kill his mother. Upon arrival they learned that the suspect had attempted to strike the victim in the head with a brick, but she was able to move out of the way, escaping injury. The suspect then fled the area in his vehicle. Utilizing support from the Sheriff's Air Unit, the suspect's vehicle was discovered near the town of Woodville. A traffic stop was initiated, however the suspect refused to stop leading deputies on a short pursuit. The suspect eventually abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot. Again the Sheriff's air patrol directed ground personnel to a location where the suspect was eventually apprehended by members of the Sheriff's K9 unit.

Eufemio Gonzalez, age 45 of Shingletown, CA

After an approximate six (6) week investigation into illegal narcotics and cultivation of Marijuana trafficking in the unincorporated Farmersville/ Visalia area, investigators from the Sheriff’s Department’s STEP Team were lead to a residence in the 16800 Blk of Theresa where a search warrant was served.  The ensuing investigation and search revealed that Eufemio Gonzalez of Shingletown, Ca.  was in possession of approximately 200 pounds of unprocessed marijuana, 40 pounds of processed Marijuana ,8 ounces of concentrated Cannabis and indicia related to the sale and transportation of Marijuana,. There were 385 Marijuana plants being cultivated at the time all under the guise of Medical Marijuana.

Gonzalez was booked at the Tulare County Main Jail on the above 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.

On 6/17/2012 at 0730 hours deputies responded to the 12400 block of Avenue 416 regarding a report of a vandalism following a dispute over property. The victim reported that Mario Delacruz, her ex-boyfriend, had smashed her vehicle with a block of concrete, shattering windows and causing body damage estimated at $1000.
Mario Delacruz was arrested at the scene and booked on charges for vandalism.

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

Taken into custody were:    Delacruz, Mario 27 yrs

On 06-16-12 deputies contacted a female subject at a residence in the 26000 Block of Ave 138, Porterville during a felony warrant service. The female was contacted during the warrant service on another female and was found to be in possession of  Methamphetamine. Female was arrested HS 11377(a) Possession of Methamphetamine and booked at the Bob Wiley Detention Facility. 

Case under investigation by T.C.S.O. 

On 06-16-12 deputies contacted a female subject at a residence in the 26000 Block of Ave 138, Porterville who was wanted on a Felony and Misdemeanor warrants. The female was located in the residence hiding. In addition to the Felony and Misdemeanor warrants, The female was also arrested for new charges of HS 11377(a) Possession of Methamphetamine and booked at the Bob Wiley Detention Facility. 

Case under investigation by T.C.S.O. 

On 06-17-12 deputies contacted a male subject at a residence in the 26000 Block of Ave 138, Porterville during a suspicious vehicle incident. The male subject in the vehicle was later determined to be a convicted felon who was in possession of approximately six boxes of ammunition. The male subject was also in possession of six EBT cards not belonging to him that had previously been deactivated and reported as lost or stolen. The male subject was arrested and booked at the Porterville Substation.  

Case under investigation by T.C.S.O. 

Suspect: Cruz Barajas 30 years old, resident of Orosi  

On 6/16/12 at approximately 2200 hours, Tulare County Sheriff Office Gang Suppression Unit conducted a traffic stop in the area of Rd 144 and Ave 424 in Orosi. Detectives subsequently contacted the driver Cruz Barajas who was wanted in connection to a 2006 murder of Aqulino Moreno. During the 2006 incident, the victim had been shot while attending a wedding in the 30700 Block of Rd 71 in Goshen. Cruz was arrested and booked at the Tulare County Main Jail on murder charges. 

The incident is still under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department.  Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Jose Torres from the Violent Crimes Unit at (559)733-6218.  

On 6-15-12 at about 8:50 pm, deputies from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched to the 800 block of West Compton in Pixley for a report of a canine that had been shot with a firearm.  Through investigation, it was learned that a next door neighbor, identified as Edgar Mora (22 years) had become irritated with his neighbors three year old canine, at which time he shot it with a pellet gun causing injury to its neck.  Tulare County Animal Control also responded to the scene and took possession of the dog for transport to a veterinary clinic for treatment.  Mora was arrested without incident for cruelty to an animal and booked into the Sheriff’s Porterville substation.

 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 6-15-12 at about 4:15 pm, personnel from the Tulare County Sheriff Departments Gang Unit made an enforcement stop upon a vehicle for a moving violation at Road 159 and Azalea in Ivanhoe, Ca.  During the investigation, suspect Jaime Lopez (36 years) was found to be in possession of a small amount of purported methamphetamine.  Lopez was arrested without incident and booked into the Tulare County main jail.

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 6-14-12 at about 1:30 pm, personnel from the Tulare County Sheriff Departments Gang Unit stopped a vehicle for a moving violation on Goshen Avenue near Chinowth and made contact with Kabarega Frazier (31 years).  Through investigation, Frazier was found to be in possession of a small amount of suspected methamphetamine, narcotic paraphernalia and also under the influence of a controlled substance.   Frazier was arrested and booked into the Tulare County main jail without incident.  

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.

After an approximate four (4) week investigation into illegal narcotics trafficking in the unincorporated Tulare area, investigators from the Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division were lead to a residence in the 22900 Blk of Rd 46 where a search warrant was served.  The ensuing investigation and search revealed that Lonnie Howard was in possession of approximately 7.8 grams of Methamphetamine, 78.3 grams of Marijuana, indicia related to the sale and transportation of illegal narcotics, maintaining a residence for illicit narcotic sales as well as a sum of cash was seized.

Noel Orosco was located at the residence and found to be in possession of .05 grams of methamphetamine, indicia related to the use of illicit narcotics and under the influence of controlled substance, when contacted by Detectives he attempted to destroy the evidence.

Lonnie Howard, age 68 of Tulare: 11377/ 11378/ 11379/ 11366/ 11357(c) H&S
Noel Orosco, age 45 of Tulare: 11377/ 11364/ 11550 H&S 136 PC

All suspects were booked at the Tulare County Main Jail on the listed charges.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division (559) 713-2950.

Photos available through the Main Jail.

UPDATE:

Detectives are asking for public assistance in identifying a homicide victim.

On 6-10-12 at approx. 0858 hrs, Deputies were dispatched to the area of Ave 72 and Rd 140 in Teviston, regarding a burnt body found near a field.  The victim had been found by a farm employee working in the area.

The victim is described as a female of unknown race, likely between 25 and 40 years of age. The victim had black or dark brown hair. She was approximately 4’11” in height. She had expensive dental work including braces on her teeth and she had breast augmentation.

The victim was located in a very rural area, 1 ½ miles due east of State Route 99, near the Avenue 72 off ramp, just outside of Teviston.

It is believed the victim would not have been reported missing any longer than 30 days before the body was found.

Anyone with information regarding this case, is encouraged to phone Det. Torres or Det. Ramirez at (559) 733-6218 or toll free at (800) 808-0488. Anonymous tips can be sent by text, voicemail or email to tcso@tipnow.com or (559) 725-4194.

On 06-14-12 the Tulare County Inter Agency Narcotic Enforcement Team, consisting of personnel from Lindsay P.D., Exeter P.D., Farmersville P.D. and the Tulare County Sheriff's Office concluded a three week narcotic investigation by serving a narcotic search warrant in the 100 block of N. Filbert in the city of Exeter. Detectives secured the residence and detained one adult. Detectives searched the property and located a small amount of methamphetamine and a small amount of marijuana.

Suspect Gonzalez, Eduardo Moreno was arrested, transported and booked into the Tulare County Main Jail Facility for the following charges:

11377 H&S                 Possession of a controlled substance
11357 b H&S              Possession of processed marijuana (less than 28 grams)

This case is still under investigation.