***Update***

03-08-11 at approximately 2100 hours Sheriff Bill Wittman announced that the victims have been safely located.  At approximately 2030 hours, Deputies from the Tulare County Sheriff's Office went to a residence in the 14700 block of Rd 190 in Poplar.  There they located victim Monserrat Caracoza and victim Sebastian Mosqueda in good health with no injuries.  Also located in the residence was suspect Pedro Gonzalez Mosqueda.  Suspect Mosqueda was taken into custody without incident.

A resident of the Poplar area flagged down a deputy in the Poplar area providing information to the possible location of the victims and suspect.

Victim Caracoza was taken to South County Investigations Office at the Porterville Substation to be interviewed by Detectives from the Violent Crimes Unit.

Suspect Mosqueda was transported to Porterville Substation where he will be interviewed by Detectives from the violent Crimes Unit.  At the conclusion of the interview, Mosqueda will be booked at the Porterville Substation.

An updated news release will be posted with charges and bail.  A mugshot will also be available at that time.

                                                                    ***

At 2 AM this morning, the parents of Monserrat Caracoza were awakened to screams from their daughter that suspect Pedro Gonzalez Mosqueda had taken the baby, Sebastian Mosqueda.

The suspect was driving a red 1991 Honda Civic with license plate 5VOY539.  The vehicle stopped as it was leaving the scene at which point, Monserrat Caracoza entered the vehicle either forcefully or willingly through the window.  The vehicle was last seen leaving the property.

The suspect entered the residence through the security window to abduct the child.

Photos of the victims and information about the suspect can be viewed at the following link:

http://www.tularesheriff.info/amberalert_030811.html

During the week of 3-2-11 through 3/5/11, personnel from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department Gang Violence Suppression Unit and South County Community Based Officers made suppression efforts throughout the rural communities of the county as a means to curb violence and other related nuisances.

Overall, there were 12 arrests, four moving violation citations and more than 50 field interviews.  Those arrested were;
1.    Manuel Nunez (22 years) under the influence of a controlled substance, one misdemeanor arrest warrant and one felony arrest warrant
2.    Rudenio Ricafort (20 years) misdemeanor arrest warrant.
3.    Jose Robles (37 years) felony arrest warrant.
4.    Jaime Ulloa (24 years) under the influence of a controlled substance.
5.    Manuel Montenegro (37 years) possession of a controlled substance for sales.
6.    Rosario Agueda (25 years) under the influence of a controlled substance and possession of narcotic paraphernalia.
7.    Jose Trujillo (26 years) under the influence of a controlled substance, one misdemeanor warrant arrest and one felony warrant arrest.
8.    Tomas Moreno (34 years) misdemeanor arrest warrant.
9.    Hugo Delgado (32 years) driving while intoxicated.
10.    Rosario Rodriguez (44 years) felony arrest warrant.
11.    Pedro Lemus (38 years) driving while intoxicated.
12.    Everardo Rosas (32 years) possession of a dangerous weapon.

Anyone with information regarding any type of gang activity in Tulare County is urged to contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department’s Gang Violence Suppression Unit at the toll free number of: 1-(888)-363-4264 or 1-(888)-END-GANG.  Persons who provide information can remain anonymous.

Prepared by: Sgt. Rob Moore #M1386

Suspect 1-  Sanchez, Salvador (in-custody)

Suspect 2 - Santillan, Miguel age 18 (in-custody)

The above listed suspects approached the victim while he was seated in the driver’s seat of his vehicle and stabbed him several times with a knife.  The suspects were later located and arrested at their residence.

The victim was treated at KDH for multiple stab wounds.

Det. R. Klassen

Case #'s- 10-60866, 11-40032, 11-40062

Suspects:

Suspect  #1 Montenegro, Manuel Delgado Age: 37 yrs. 600 block Oakview, Porterville

Suspect  #2 Argullo, Brandy Age: 29 yrs. 12600 blockk Orange Belt, Porterville

Suspect: #3 Flores, Jose Gonzalez Age: 28 yrs.12600 Block of Orange Belt, Porterville

Suspect  #4 Medina, Jorge Vega Luis Age: 43 yrs.12600 Block of Orange Belt, Porterville 
 
On 3-03-11 the Tulare County Inter-Agency Narcotics Enforcement Team consisting of personnel from the Visalia Police Department, Farmersville Police Department, Exeter Police Department, Tulare County Probation Department and the Tulare County Sheriff Department, along with the Sheriff’s Tactical Enforcement Personnel Team and Porterville Police Department ended a six month investigation by serving two narcotic search warrants at the following locations: 12600 block of Orange Belt in Tulare County near the City of Porterville and the second location is at the 600 Block of Oakview in the City of Porterville. Detectives located approximately 14.2 grams of methamphetamine on two of the suspects detained.
Suspect Manuel Montenegro was arrested and booked into the Porterville Sheriff Sub Station for two counts of possession of a controlled substance for sales, two counts of transportation of a controlled substance for sales and conspiracy. An Immigration hold was placed on the Suspect Montenegro. 
Suspect Brandy Argullo was arrested and booked into the Tulare County Bob Wiley Detention Facility for two counts of possession of a controlled substance for sales, two counts of transportation of a controlled substance for sales and conspiracy. Suspect Argullo’s bail was set at $30,000.00.
Suspect Jorge Medina was arrested and booked into the Porterville Sheriff Sub Station for three counts of possession of a controlled substance for sales, three counts of transportation of a controlled substance for sales and conspiracy. An Immigration hold was placed on Suspect Medina. 
Suspect Jose Gonzalez Flores was arrested and booked into the Porterville Sheriff Sub Station for possession of a controlled substance for sales, transportation of a controlled substance for sales and conspiracy. Suspect Flores was also was arrested on a felony warrant for a previous charge of transportation of a controlled substance for sales. An Immigration hold was placed on Suspect Flores.

A reverse detail was conducted during the service of these search warrants and detectives arrested six more suspects for attempting to buy purported methamphetamine from an under cover detective. The following suspects were arrested:
 Roley Taylor Age: 60, Horace Flemming Age: 69, Vicki Bordagaray Age: 47, Anastacia Delson Age: 44
Ruben Deleon Age: 54, Miguel Perez Age: 41.

This case is still under investigation.

UPDATE: On 03/01/2011 the examination of the decedent was completed at the coroner’s office. The cause of death was determined to be positional asphyxiation. The manner of death was ruled accidental.

PRIOR RELEASE:  On 2/24/11 at approximately 2228 hours, Tulare County Sheriff’s Patrol Deputies responded to the 12600 Block of Miller Rd in Orosi in regards to an unresponsive infant. Deputies and Medical personnel arrived on scene and found the child not breathing. The child was later transported to a local area hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

There were no visible signs of trauma nor is the death listed as suspicious.

On 02-28-2011 the Inter Agency Narcotic Enforcement Team (I.N.E.T.) consisting of personnel from Farmersville 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 1000 block of East Ash in the City of Farmersville. Suspect Luis Cervantes was arrested and booked into the Tulare County Main Jail for the following charges:

11359 H&S        Possession of marijuana for sales.

12316 b 1 P.C.   Convicted felon in possession of ammunition.

12021 b P.C.      Convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

11353.6 H&S     Possession of a controlled substance for sales with 1000 feet of a                           

                           school.

 Suspect Cervantes’s bail is set at $ 50,000.00.

This case is still under investigation.

Narrative:

Through further investigation, personnel from the North End Gang Violence Suppression Unit were able to identify, locate and apprehend the second suspect involved in a robbery that occurred on 2-24-11 near the intersection of Ave. 378 and Rd. 57 London, Ca.  The second suspect taken into custody was a 17 year old male juvenile.  He was booked into the Juvenile Justice Center for robbery without incident.

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Department at 559-733-6218 or 1-(888)-End-Gang.  Persons who call can remain anonymous.

Taken into custody were:

Male juvenile (17 years) 37600 block of Rd. 60 London, Ca.

  Charges:  211 PC robbery  

Narrative:

Case Number- 11-80066, 11-80067, 11-80068

Crime- 166.4 gang injunction violations, 11378 HS, 11377 HS and a felony warrant for drug sales cited out to Fresno County.

On 2-26-11, during the evening hours, personnel from the North End Gang Violence Suppression Unit concentrated their efforts in the Cutler-Orosi communities of Tulare County and arrested four subjects.  Two were arrested for gang injunction violations, one for possession of a controlled substance for sale, and one for a felony warrant which was cited out to Fresno County on drug charges.

 Taken into custody were:

Raul Gomez (18 years) Cutler-Orosi  Charges: 166.4 PC – violation of court order / gang injunction (no bail)  

 Christopher Carreon (18 years) Cutler-Orosi Charges: 166.4 PC – violation of court order / gang injunction (no bail)

Salvador Guevara-Soto (33 years) Charges: 11378 HS – possession of a controlled substance for sale (bail $20,000)

Desirae Garza (23 years) Charges: Felony arrest warrant for drug sales and transportation in Fresno County.  Subject was cited to Fresno County on $50,000 bail.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Department at 559-733-6218 or 1-(888)-End-Gang.  Persons who call can remain anonymous.

UPDATE:  Violent Crimes Unit responded to the case as the death was listed as undetermined and VC staff was on duty and available.  This unit is under the same supervision as the Coroner Unit.  There were no visble signs of trauma nor is the death listed as suspicious.  The death is currently listed as undetermined until the autopsy is completed next week.

PRIOR RELEASE:  On 2/24/11 at approximately 2228 hours, Tulare County Sheriff’s Patrol Deputies responded to the 12600 Block of Miller Rd in Orosi in regards to an unresponsive infant. Deputies and Medical personnel arrived on scene and found the child not breathing. The child was later transported to a local area hospital where she was later pronounced dead. Violent Crimes Detectives responded to the scene and took over the investigation.

The incident is being investigated 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 2-24-11 at about 1455 hours, a 22 year old male was riding his bicycle near the intersection of Ave. 378 and Rd. 57 in the community of London, Ca.  At that time, he was approached by two suspects east of the intersection and physically assaulted.  The suspects then took possession of the bicycle by force and the victim fled the scene to report the incident.

Through further investigation, suspect Alejandro Perez (23 years) was arrested and booked into the Tulare County Main Jail for robbery and criminal street gang activity.  The bicycle was recovered by law enforcement and returned to the victim.  The second suspect is still at large and personnel from Patrol and the Gang Violence Suppression Unit are continuing their efforts to identify and apprehend this person.

Anyone with information can remain anonymous and is encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Department at 559-733-6218 or 1-(888)-End-Gang. 

Taken into custody were:

1. Alejandro Perez (23 years) resides in London, Ca.

 Charges : 211 PC & 186.22 PC

UPDATE:

Rey Robert Avellanoza was also booked on four outstanding warrants in Tulare County:

PC 529 $20,000 Warrant
PC 664/187, 459 and 246 $500,000 Warrant
PC 496 $10,000 Warrant
PC 459 $50,000 Warrant

The motel room did not contain any items of interest in the case upon search. 

Please see below for additional information regarding the incident.

BAKERSFIELD POLICE

DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

                                                      Greg Williamson, Chief of Police

________________________________________________________________________
Contact: Sergeant Mary Degeare

                Public Information Officer

                661-326-3803

                mdegeare@bakersfieldpd.us

For Immediate Release                                               Monday, February 21, 2011

On 2/20/11, at approximately 11:00 p.m. Bakersfield Police received information that subjects, possibly associated with the homicide which occurred on 2/19/11, at approximately 1:37 a.m., in the 200 blk of 22^nd Street, were at the Togas Motel 99 Inn & Suites, 26442 North Highway 99, Tulare, Ca.

Bakersfield Police officers went to the motel and attempted to contact the subjects.  Officers confirmed that the room was occupied but received no response from the occupants.  The Tulare County Sheriff Department responded to assist and a SWAT operation was initiated.  The SWAT operation was conducted by the Tulare County Sheriff Department which resulted in the surrender of the four occupants in the room.  For details on the SWAT operation contact the Tulare County Sheriff Department.

The subjects were transported to the Tulare County Sheriff Investigations Bureau where they were interviewed by Bakersfield Police detectives.  Following the interviews all four were arrested. 

Arrested:

Rey Robert Avellanoza, H/M, 22, of Earlimart, Ca. for violation of PC 187, Murder, PC 148, Resisting an officer, and PC 186.22, Gang participation.

Semein Cruz, H/M, 18, of Earlimart, Ca. was arrested for violation of PC 32 Accessory after the fact, PC 182, Conspiracy, PC 148, Resisting an officer and PC 186.22, Gang participation.

Francisco Delgado, H/M, 18, of Earlimart, Ca. was arrested for violation of PC 32, Accessory after the fact, PC 182, Conspiracy, and PC 186.22, Gang participation.

Alejandro Amariz Navarro, H/M, 20, of Earlimart, Ca. was arrested for violation of PC 148, Resisting an officer, and PC 186.22, Gang participation.

Avellanoza, Cruz, and Delgado were arrested on charges related to the homicide.  Navarro was arrested on unrelated charges.

All four subjects were booked into the Tulare County Main Jail.

The investigation is continuing.

The Bakersfield Police Department would like to thank the Tulare County Sheriff Department and the Visalia Police Department for their assistance in this investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call Bakersfield Police at 661-327-7111.

UPDATE: At approximately 1035 hours, the Tulare County Sheriff's SWAT team and hostage negotiators deployed a communication devise into the Motel 99 Room in an attemp to communicate with the subjects inside.  At that time, the room door opened and four hispanic males exited the room with the hands in the air.  The four subjects were detained without incident.  The Bakersfield Police Deprtement advised they were actively seeking three of the four subjects as part of a homicide investigation that occurred on 2-18-2011.  All four subjects were taken to the Tulare County Sheriff's Investigations Office where Bakersfield Police Department can speak with the subjects.  Bakersfield Police Department advised they will provide a press release regarding their investigation.  The identities of the subjects are pending the outcome of the questioning.  Additional information will be posted as it is ready to be released.

The Sheriff's Office utilized approximately 35 staff members including detectives from STEP, Narcotics, Gang, Patrol and support staff.  The Tualre County Mobile Command Center was utilized on scene.  Visalia Police Department also responded to assist with equipment and staffing.  Approximately 45 civilians were evactuated from the area including patrons of Motel 99 and workers from the neighboring plant.

PRIOR RELASE:Tulare County Sheriff's Office SWAT team was called to assist the Bakersfield Police Department in ragards to a homicide investigation that led them to subjects located in the area.  Bakersfield Police Department advised Tulare County they were in the area doing follow up on their homicide investigation.  Tulare County Sheriff's Office offered assistance if needed. 

The Sheriff's Department SWAT team and hostage negotiators responded to the location and are currenlty working on communication with three possible subjects who are barracaded in one of the Motel 99 rooms.

All civilians have been evacuated as well as workers from the neighboring plant A&P Growers.  A team of approximately 25 personnel from the Tulare County Sheriff's Office are currently on scene with equipment such as the Urban Rescue Vehicle, robot and mobile command center. 

PIO is currently on scene and updates will be posted. 

During the week of 2/16/11 through 2/19/11, personnel from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department Gang Violence Suppression Unit made suppression efforts throughout the rural communities of the county as a means to curb violence and other related nuisances.

Overall, there were 14 arrests, five citations and more than 40 field interviews.
Those arrested were;

1.    Stephanie Sheppard (25 years) under the influence of a controlled       
        substance and two misdemeanor arrest warrants.

2.    Sergio Pugo (31 years) out of county misdemeanor arrest warrant.

3.    Male Juvenile (16 years) violation of court order – gang injunction.

4.    Alejandro Millares (25 years) false information to peace officer and parole hold.

5.    Erick Sherrill (22 years) felony warrant out of New Mexico.

6.    Anthony Shirk (45 years) under the influence of a controlled substance.

7.    Jacqueline Leal (27 years) possession of a controlled substance and driving while unlicensed to           operate a motor vehicle.

8.    Conception Rangel (34 years) under the influence of a controlled substance and possession of     narcotic paraphernalia.

9.    Eduardo Abundis (18 years) under the influence of a controlled substance.

10.    Juan Gutierrez (21 years) under the influence of a controlled substance.

11.    Eddy Luna (47 years) felony arrest warrant.

12.    Daniel Ramos (19 years) under the influence of a controlled substance.

13.    Ulysis Jimenez (24 years) driving while intoxicated.

14.    Arturo Mesa (50 years) public intoxication.