On 07-13 the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Division, along with personnel from the Interagency Narcotic Enforcement Team concluded an three week investigation by serving a search warrant in the 1400 Block of East Dianna in the town of Pixley.    
 During the search of the residence detectives located the following items of evidence in the residence: a small amount of methamphetamine, approximately 13 marijuana plants in the back yard, a small amount of concentrated marijuana, honey oil marijuana, equipment to produce the honey oil, processed marijuana, prescription pills, scales, packaging material, a stolen handgun, a firearm with the serial number filed off and one blowgun. 
 
Suspect Roberts, Lennie Lee was arrested for the following charges: Possession of marijuana (above an ounce), Possession of concentrated marijuana, manufacturing concentrated marijuana, possession of marijuana for sales, cultivating marijuana, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for sales, possession of stolen property, possession of a blowgun, possession of a firearm with the serial number removed. 

Suspect Roberts, Bonnie was arrested for the following charges: Possession of marijuana (above an ounce), Possession of concentrated marijuana, manufacturing concentrated marijuana, possession of marijuana for sales, cultivating marijuana, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for sales.

This case is still under investigation.

On 07/13/11, at 0745 hours, Tulare County Sheriff Deputies responded to C & L Towing located at 6484 Ave. 304, Visalia, regarding a commercial burglary.  Upon their arrival, the victim reported that unknown suspect(s) entered his property and took several different types of shop tools.  The victim estimated the value to be $1,500.  

During the Sheriff Deputies investigation, they were led to the adjoining property of 6572 Ave.304, Visalia.  It was at this location they located and arrested 27 year old Joseph Enos.  Enos was found to be in possession of the reported stolen property and subsequently arrested and booked at the Tulare County Main Jail where he is being held on $50,000 bond.  

The stolen property was identified by the victim and returned. 

This case is still being investigated by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department.

Tulare County Sheriff Department Orosi Patrol /Community Base Officers and North End Property Unit conducted a two week investigation regarding several burglaries, car jacking, armed robbery, stolen vehicles and spousal abuse that occurred in the Community of New London.   During the investigation Deputies located Matthew Wilson driving the vehicle that was reported stolen in the area of Rd 88 and Ave 400 in Dinuba. Deputies attempted to stop Wilson when he led Deputies on a short pursuit. During the pursuit, Wilson discarded a loaded handgun into the streets.  Deputies along with assistance from Dinuba Police Department were able to detain Wilson and a passenger in the area of Ave 408 and Road 96 with no further incident.
 
The subjects were taken into custody, on the below listed charges.
 

Taken into custody were:

1)    Matthew Lee Wilson               28 Yrs.                      Resident       New London  Ca.
 
Charges: 215 PC , 211 PC 496 PC, 460, 273.5, 12020  PC, 10851, 2800 VC:  Carjacking, Armed Robbery, burglary, spousal abuse, stolen vehicle  failure to yield, possession of stolen property/firearm

2) Diane  Fuentes                          26Yrs                        Resident       Selma Ca. 

Charges:  496 PC, 460, 12020 PC   possession of stolen property/firearm

On 07-11-11 the Inter Agency Narcotic Enforcement Team (I.N.E.T.) consisting of personnel from Farmersville Police Department, Visalia Police Department, Lindsay Police Department, Exeter Police Department, Tulare County Probation and the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department concluded a three week narcotic investigation by serving a search warrant in the 14100 Block of Ave. 420, near the town of Orosi.

Upon securing the residence detectives detained several subjects on the property. Suspect Villarreal, Cadelario was arrested, transported and booked into the Tulare County Main Jail for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia and his bail was set at $ 20,000.00. Suspect Luevanos, Liberado was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia and a misdemeanor arrest warrant with a bail set at $ 30,000.00.  Suspect Marquez, Demetrio was arrested, transported and booked into the Tulare County Main Jail for 11550 H&S, where he was later cited to appear in court.

Detail on 7-8-11:
On Friday, July 8th, 2011 at approximately 1430 hours, friends of Derrick Robert Rush contacted the Sheriff's Office in regards to needing assistance in locating their friend.  Derrick was on an inner tube in the upper Kern River near the Whiteside campsite, south of Corral Creek when he fell off his inner tube and entered the water.  Friends stated they did not see him resurface and contacted emergency personnel.  The Sheriff's Office along with allied agencies began a search and continue to search for Derrick Rush.  The water in the upper Kern River was 50 degrees and running at 4700 cubic feet per second.  Derrick Rush was not wearing cold water gear nor protective gear such as a life jacket or helmet at the time he was seen entering the water.  Derrick Robert Rush is 28 years of age from the Arroyo Grande area.

Detail on 7-9-11:
On Saturday, July 9th, 2011 while the Sheriff's Search and Rescue team were searching for Derrick Rush in  upper Kern River near the Whiteside campsite, south of Corral Creek, a deputy observed a man being swept down river in the current while holding onto his inner tube.  A rescue detail was initiated for this subject as well.  Deputies learned the subject was previously told to stay out of the water but chose to enter the water with his inner tube that was tied with a string to shore.  The string broke and he was swept away in the current.  The subject was not wearing cold water gear nor protective gear such as a life jacket or helmet.  The Sheriff's Office requested the assistance of the Kern County Sheriff's Rescue team to assist in manning the boat that was needed to retrieve the subject.  During the rescue the team was almost swept done river as well.  The river is running at dangerous speeds and temperatures and people are encouraged to stay out of the water.  The subject was rescued and identified as Alfredo Reyes, age 23 from North Hills.

THE SEARCH FOR DERRICK RUSH IS CONTINUING.

The Tulare County Sheriff's Office wants to encourage media to please continue to put out water safety information. 

Water safety information on website
http://www.tularesheriff.info/watersafety.html 

Water safety videos on Tulare County Sheriff's YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/TulareCountySheriff 

During the week of July 6th through July 9th, personnel from the sheriff department’s north end gang violence suppression unit concentrated their efforts in the communities of Cutler and Orosi, with several probation searches and saturation patrol.  Those efforts resulted in seven arrests for various felonies, misdemeanors and preliminary civil gang injunction violations.  Those arrested were booked into the Juvenile Justice Center, Tulare County Main Jail and the Bob Wiley Detention Facility without incident.

Valentine Garcia (32 years) arrested for a felony warrant
Porfirio Mejia (26 years) arrested for a felony warrant and misdemeanor warrant
Doyle Lloyd (27 years) arrested for two misdemeanor warrants
Patricia Lopez (34 years) arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance and for a felony and misdemeanor warrant
Candelario Villarreal (38 years) arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance
Miguel Santana (21 years) arrested for violation of court order / preliminary gang injunction
Male Juvenile (16 years) arrested for felony vandalism/graffiti, resisting arrest, criminal street gang activity and violation of court order / preliminary gang injunction

 
Anyone with information regarding gang activity is encouraged to call the sheriff’s department and can remain confidential by reporting it to tcso@tipnow.com or by texting to (559) 725-4194.  You may also call 1-(800) END-GANG or (559) 733-6218. 

Narratice:

S-1 Dustin Benson, 31 yoa, From Porterville

S-2 Jared Matteucci, 21 yoa, From Porterville

S-3 Lindsay Young, 27 yoa, from Porterville

S-4 Male Juvenile, 17 yoa, From Porterville

On the above date and time members of the Tulare County Sheriff's  Dept. S.T.E.P. and Narcotics Units responded to the above listed residences in regards to reports of marijuana cultivation and sales to serve search warrants. The service of the search warrants was the result of a two month investigation into the selling of marijuana over the internet. Upon arrival detectives contacted the above listed suspects. The subsequent search’s found large indoor/outdoor grows of medical marijuana at both locations far in excess of the allowed amounts. It was further found that several minor children had access to and were playing in the marijuana, in one case a 17 year old male was assisting in the cultivation of the plants.

S-Benson had several medical marijuana recommends on the property allowing him to grow enough medical marijuana to cover his and another subject’s current medical needs.  Detectives eradicated a total of 587 marijuana plants in various stages of growth from seedlings to fully budded from both locations.. This amount of marijuana was clearly in excess of the recommend holders medical needs. Additionally S-1 Benson had been offering marijuana for sale on “You Tube” videos

On 07-06-11 the Inter Agency Narcotic Enforcement Team (I.N.E.T.) consisting of personnel from Visalia Police Department, Farmersville Police Department, Lindsay Police Department, Exeter Police Department, Tulare County Probation, Tulare County Sheriff’s Department concluded a three week narcotic investigation by serving a search warrant in the 12900 Block of Ella in the Town of Orosi.
Detectives searched the residence and located a small amount of methamphetamine.  Detectives located three hand digital scales. Suspect Marquez was arrested and booked into the Tulare County Jail for the following charges: 

11377 H&S     Possession of a controlled substance.

11378 H&S     Possession of a controlled substance for sales.

11364 H&S     Possession of drug paraphernalia.

This case is still under investigation.

Deputies were investigating a theft and found a motor driven four wheeler on the property.  This item was found to be stolen and a further search revealed additional stolen items.  Victims were contacted and confirmed certain items from the suspect’s residence had been taken from their residence.  The victim’s recovered their property which consisted of a Rhino four wheeler, dirt bike, power tools, vehicle engine parts and other various tools.  Enos was booked into the Tulare County Jail without incident. 

On 6-5-11 at approximately 2030 hours Deputies were dispatched to an area known as "The Stairs" on HWY 190 approximately 1/2 mile south of Wishon Drive, near SPringville.  The call was in regards to an adult male who had swam across the Tule River and was unable to come back across because of the cold temperature and swiftness of the river.  The call came in as a 911 call from a person who was with the victim at the time of the incident but on the correct side of the river.

Deputies arrived on scene alond with County fire and utilized the necessary rope and gear bags to decend the stairway to the river where the victim was located.  The victim was approximately 50 feet from the deputies who threw him a "Rope bag" line attached flotation vest and chest harness.  Teh victim put on the vest and harness and was brought back across the river. 

The victim was assisted back up the stairway to the parking lot of "The Stairs" and medically evaluated and cleared on scene my medical staff.

The Sheriff's Office would like to remind everyone seekeing out recreation in the Couties water sources to make sure they take the necessary precautions.

Additional safety tips are provided here:  http://www.tularesheriff.info/watersafety.html

On Tuesday, June 14, 2011 at approximately 1430 hrs, the Tulare County Sheriff's Office received a call of a person who was swept away by the current in the Tule River near the lower Coffee Camp area in Springville.

Deputies responded and met with Tulare County Fire who requested the assistance of a Helicopter for the search.  It was discoverd that the vcitim was swiming with her family in the river when the current caught her and moved her to the far side of the river.  For a short time she was able to hold on to a tree branch before she was swept down river by the current.  Family followed her by walking down the embankment and viewed her go through some heavy rapids.  When the terrain became too rough they lost sight of the victim. 

The Medi-Vac helicopter located the victim clinging to a rock and Tulare County Fire was able to throw her a life jacket attached to a rope and pull her to the embankment. The victim was carried to the roadside where and ambulance was waiting to treat her.  She was transported to a local hospital where she was treated and released for some minor bruses and mild trauma to her head.  The victim is home safe with family.

The Sheriff's Office strongly urges people to learn water safety.  Some tips are listed on the sheriff's website at  http://www.tularesheriff.info/watersafety.html

MISSING #1: Neacato , Scott age 22 of Los Angeles CA
Last seen wearing: Brown T-shirt/Red Shorts

MISSING #2: Nguyen , Minh Tu Quang age 25 of Westminster CA
Last seen wearing: Light Green Polo Shirt / Brown Shorts

Both missing persons were on a camping trip with approximately 11 friends in the area of Ant Canyon, an unimproved campsite on the Kern River in Tulare County. On 06/13/2011 at approximately 1840 hours a 911 call was placed at a business in River Kern, Kern County. The group had tied a line across the river and then tied a small, two-man raft to the line. Both Neacato and Nguyen were in the raft which was in the middle of the river, approximately fifty (50) yards from the north shore. It appears the raft was pulled into a boil (turbulence) and subsequently was partially submerged and capsized due to the extreme current. Both subjects were swept down-river, river-center. Friends and family advised Neacato did not know how to swim. Neither subject was wearing a life jacket or exposure protection. The area where both subjects went in the water is approximately 200 yards above multiple class four and class five rapids. The Kern River flow is estimated to be running at approximately 4,800 CFS (Cubic Feet per Second.) Due to this year's above average snowpack and current high air temperatures, the flow is expected to peak at 6,000 CFS within the next few days. The water temperature is estimated to be approximately 42-45 degrees. 

Deputies and US Forest Service personnel arrived on scene within approximately twenty (20) minutes of the call and began a hasty search of the area with negative results for either subject. The first operational period was postponed at 2400 hours on 06/14/2011 due to darkness. The search and rescue (SAR) was initiated to begin the second operational period at 0800 hours on 06/14/2011. TCSO SAR and Swiftwater/Dive personnel began bank searches of the area at 0500 hours. TCSO Divers were inserted above the point last seen (PLS) in an effort to bank search the far south west side of the river. TCSO SAR personnel performed a copious search of both river banks approximately two (2) miles down from the PLS. CHP Helicopter arrived in the area at approximately 1100 hours  and began air operations within the search area which included the Whiskey Flat trail which runs the south west side of the river in its entirety to Kernville. Due to terrain difficulties and the dangerous conditions of the river's flow, divers were unable to continue the bank search on the far side of the river as the south west river bank cliffs-out. Divers were unable to probe any pools, hydraulics or obvious eddies which may have held a body. It was not possible to safely or effectively construct technical highlines to aid in the search. As of 1800 hours on 06/14/2011, there was no sign of either subject. The search was scaled back with active SAR Operations ending and will continue by personnel from TCSO, USFS, CHP and KCSO until both subjects are located.

The Tulare County Sheriff's Office wants to encourage media to please continue to put out water safety information.  http://www.tularesheriff.info/watersafety.html .

Photos  http://www.tularesheriff.info/news_sar_061511.html
ID photos available by e-mail request to cdouglass@co.tulare.ca.us .

Two videos On Tulare County Sheriff's YouTube Channel under case # 11-7865  http://www.youtube.com/user/TulareCountySheriff

On 5-30-11 representatives of KRC Safety reported the theft of a large tractor forklift from the area of Hwy 198 and Rd 164.  The forklift was valued at $45,000.00.

On 6-14-11 the owner of KRC Safety contacted the Tulare County Sheriff's Department and reported he had located his stolen forklift in the 15700 block of Jasmine Ave in the town of Ivanhoe.  Deputies responded and observed the Forklift inside a secured vacant storage lot. 

Detectives were summoned to the scene and a search warrant was executed on the property.  During a search of the property, the following items were recovered.  The stolen forklift, a Case 590 backhoe reported stolen to the Visalia Police Department on 6-6-11 and a stolen Mitsubishi truck reported stolen to the Visalia Police Department in March 2011.  The Backhoe was valued at $90,000.00 and the truck was valued at $5,000.00.

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

On 6-14-11, the victim received a call from her bank requesting authorization to cash several personal checks. When the victim advised she did not issue the checks the Lindsay Police Department was contacted. Upon arrival of the Police Departments the two suspects were located and lead LPD Officers on a short vehicle pursuit where their vehicle eventually crashed and both subjects were arrested. Further investigation lead Tulare County Sheriff's Detectives to the victim’s residence where they located the break in. All property was recovered.

Two men are missing after a reported raft flipped in the Kern River and the two riders did not surface.

Tulare County Sheriff's Resident Deputies along with members of the Sheriff's Dive Team began a search for  Scott Neacato age 22 of Los Angeles and Minh Nguyen age 26 of Westminster at approximately 8:00 AM on June 14, 2011.  The search lasted through the day and into the evening hours. The California Highway Patrol helecopter also assisted in the search.

The Sheriff's Department was advised by a local shop owner that two women came into the business stating they had seen the two men riding in a raft when it flipped and the men did not resurface.  The The incident was said to occur near Ant Canyon, one mile north of Gold Ledge in the Johnsondale area on June 13, 2011 at approximately 6:00 PM.

"The river is running at about 5000 cubic feet per second which is limiting our search efforts in the river." Stated Lt. Lary Micari.

The Sheriff's Office is strongly urging people to be careful this summer.  As the weather heats up, more people will seek out water sources to cool down and tragedy can happen when they are not prepared for it.

The Sheriff's Office supports the reach, throw, don't go program which advises people who find someone in a water hazard to reach for them, throw something out to them but not to go in the water themselves as it could be dangerous for you as well.