Suspect: Osvaldo Hinojosa (26 years old)

On above date and time a Deputy from the Tulare County Sheriff's Department was patrolling the community of Orosi and initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Hinojosa. As a result of the stop, Hinojosa was found to be in possession of five U.S. counterfeit bills. Hinojosa was booked into the Tulare County Main Jail without incident and the currency was logged into evidence.

The ase 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.

S1 – Richard Burkart, 53 yoa, Dinuba – Charges 11358 H&S, 11359 H&S, 182 PC, 273(a) PC
S2 – Chadwick Burkart, 19 yoa, Dinuba – 11350 H&S. 11351 H&S, 11352 H&S, 11364 H&S
S3 – Jose Jimenez,  36 yoa,  Dinuba – 11359 H&S, 273(a) PC, 182 PC, 12022.5a PC

On 3/27/13 at 0700 hrs members of the Tulare County Sheriff's Dept. S.T.E.P. Unit, Narcotics Unit and Gang Unit responded to the above listed location for the service of a Search Warrant on a marijuana growing operation. The search warrant was written for the property after a one month investigation showed marijuana being grown and sold, a crime under California law.   Upon arrival detectives contacted the above listed suspects for service of the warrant at both the primary and a secondary residence on the property.  The investigation revealed that the S1 – Burkart was found to be responsible for a large marijuana grow located in a green house on the property. The green house contained 1386 mature marijuana plants. Well in excess of the medical recommendations located on the property. S-2 Chad Burkart was found to be in possession of Heroin and to possess heroin for sales. S-3 was contacted at a secondary residence on the property. The investigation showed he was also involved in the marijuana grow and working for S-1 on the marijuana operation. Additionally (19) firearms were located inside the two residences, including (2) assault weapons and (8) handguns. 

It was found that the number of plants being grown at the location were clearly in excess of medical needs, A total of 1,386 marijuana plants were eradicated from the locations.

Also seized during the search was approx. (500) pounds of processed packaged marijuana in one pound bags, (19) firearms including (2) Assault weapons and (8) handguns, various packaging materials and scales. Approx. $150,000 in U.S. Currency was also seized. At the time of the search warrant service small children were playing in the immediate area and had easy access to marijuana and firearms around the property.

It is an ongoing problem that criminal groups pay unwitting subjects to obtain medical recommends from doctors who allow them to grow plants well in excess of their medical needs. Subjects who are recommend holders turn over their documents then have nothing to do with the marijuana, which upon harvest is then sold on the street, shipped out of state or to a dispensary out of the area. In this case evidence of out of state marijuana shipments and shipments to dispensaries in Southern California where marijuana from this location was sold for between $2,500 and $4,500 per pound, were also collected. The above suspects were arrested and charged with cultivation of marijuana, possession for sales, conspiracy, Child endangerment and firearms charges.

In addition to the above, the owner of the property was provided notification advising that allowing cultivation of marijuana is a Federal felony.  Growing marijuana or allowing it to be grown on your property exposes the property to seizure by the Federal government through the Asset Forfeiture Process which allows the government to seize property obtained or maintained through drug trafficking proceeds.

This case is still under investigation by the TCSO STEP Unit.

Photos available on the Sheriff's Flickr page at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tularecountysheriff/sets/72157633108076282/

UPDATE: The juveniles have been located at a neighboring residence. They are in good health and had gone to the residence on their own without advising anyone of their location.

Prior release:
At 0330 hours, Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to the 200 block of north Callison Rd, in Tipton for an occupied residential burglary. According to the victim unknown subjects forcibly entered the residence and took electronics and assorted jewelry. 

When the deputies arrived, it was also discovered that two children, Xavier Macedo Age 12, and Derek Macedo age 10 were missing from their bedroom at an adjacent residence on the same property. At this point in the investigation there is no connection between the incidents. For more information on the missing juveniles please refer to the accompanying flyer. 

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the children or information on the crime can contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Violent Crimes Unit, Detective Gary Marks or Sgt.M. Cavazos at (559)733-6218 or (800)808-0488 

Photos and Flyer are available on the Sheriff’s Flickr page at:http://www.flickr.com/photos/tularecountysheriff/sets/72157633085807099/

Victim:
Raul Gonzalez, Age 30 of Woodlake

Scene:
37000 block of  Millwood Drive, Woodlake

Suspects:
Unknown, possibly 2-4 subjects, some spoke English and Spanish

03-24-13 / 2301 Hours
Deputies with Headquarters responded to 37000 block of Millwood Dr. in Woodlake for report of a home invasion with shots fired. Upon arrival, deputies located the victim suffering from a gunshot wound. Medical personnel also arrived on scene and determine the victim had succumbed to his injuries.

Detectives with the violent crimes unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation. Upon arriving on scene, detectives learned the victim had a marijuana grow site behind the residence.

Detectives received information there were two to four suspects in the residence, some having spoken English and Spanish.  Two other victims were in another portion of the residence at the time of the incident and were able to flee the residence without injury.  The suspects had cut the phone line, demanded money and fled the scene with and undetermined amount of processed marijuana.

Detectives are asking if anyone has information regarding this case to please contact the Sheriff’s Office at 800-808-0488.  You can also provide your information anonymously through the Sheriff’s TipNow program by text or voicemail to 559-725-4194 or email tcso@tipnow.com.

Narrative:

On 3/24/13 at approximately 1535 hours, Porterville Patrol Deputies responded to calls of shots fired in the area of Maurer Street and E. Orange Avenue, Porterville.

South End Investigations Detectives also responded and found that the victim had been driving in the area and was shot by unknown suspects in a dark colored four door Honda type vehicle. The victim was transported to a local hospital and is being treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Any one with information regarding this incident can contact Detective Maria Lomeli at (559)733-6218.

On 03/24/13 approximately 0930 hours the Tulare County Sheriff=s Department responded to the 800 block of E. River St. in Porterville regarding a suspicious object. Upon arrival, a rag wrapped in masking tape with protruding wires was located. The Tulare County Consolidated Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit was called out and responded. The unit is comprised of members from both the Tulare County Sheriff=s Department and the Visalia Police Department. A bomb robot was utilized to identify the object as blasting caps, incendiary devices capable of small explosions. The caps were safely removed without incident.

On 03/24/2013, 0042 hours, Deputies were dispatched to the 29600 block of Rd 196, Visalia in regards to multiple gunshot victims. Upon arrival, deputies contacted the reporting party who advised deputies that the incident occurred at the 22700 Block of Ave 340, Woodlake. The victim’s were transported by ambulance to a near by hospital to be treated for their injuries.

Deputies then responded to the 22700 block of Ave 340, Woodlake where they located the crime scene and conducted an investigation. The suspects fled the scene prior to deputies’ arrival.

Case is currently still under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff's Department, Violent Crimes Unit, anyone with any information please contact Sgt. Parker or Detective Cotton at 559-735-1862.

Narrative:

On 03/21/2013 Deputies of the Tulare County Sheriff Department responded to the area of avenue 266 and road 132 for a report of a suspicious vehicle in an orchard. Deputies contacted the drive of the vehicle and discovered he had an active warrant. Upon further investigation Deputies found the driver to be in possession of a controlled substance. The driver was taken into custody and transported to the Tulare County Main Jail facility. This case is still under investigation by the Sheriff's Department.

Suspect:   Eric Phillips     Age 47 years

On 03-19-13, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Division along with the Inter-agency Narcotics task Force (Lindsay PD and Exeter PD and personnel from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Tactical Enforcement Personnel team concluded a two week narcotics investigation by serving narcotics three search warrants in the 800 block of S.K Street and 1370 Block of S. K Street, in the City of Tulare.

Detectives secured the residences and detained three subjects. Detectives searched the residences and located approximately 8 grams of methamphetamine, 3 grams of Cocaine, drug paraphernalia and drug packaging material. A two week old infant was turned over to Child Welfare Service.

Suspect: Terry Perez was arrested, transported and booked into the Tulare County Sheriff's Department Bob Wiley Detention Facility for the following charges:

 11378 H&S          Possession of a controlled substance for sales.      
 11377H&S           Possession of a controlled substance
 11366 H&S          Maintain a place for selling any controlled substance.   


Suspect: April Nicole Salcidia was arrested, transported and booked into the Tulare County Sheriff's Department Bob Wiley Detention Facility for the following charges:

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

 11377H&S           Possession of a controlled substance11366 H&S         

                          Maintain a place for selling any controlled substance.   
 273 A                 Child Endangerment



Suspect: Sharon Janet Armstrong was arrested, transported and booked into the Tulare County Sheriff's Department’s Bob Wiley Detention Facility for the following charges:

11377 H&S          Possession of a controlled substance.
11378 H&S          Possession of a controlled substance for sales.
11378 H&S          Possession of a controlled substance for sales.
11350 H&S          Possession of a controlled substance.
11366 H&S          Maintain a place for selling any controlled substance.   

The case is still under investigation

Deputies were dispatched to a robbery and physical assault in the 12900 block of Bermuda, Visalia. Deputies arrived on scene and located the victim at a neighbor’s home. The victim advised at 0330hrs she had been physically assaulted by a known subject. The victim further advised property was physically taken from her without her consent. The victim was transported to the Kaweah Delta Medical Center by ambulance for injuries she sustained in the attack.

Suspect is still outstanding.

 

Case under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office

On the above date and time Deputies were dispatched to the area of Rd. 126 and Ave 416, Orosi in regards to a gunshot victim. The victim stated unknown person(s) fired several rounds at him while he was walking northbound on Rd 128 just south of Ave 416.  The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was airlifted to a Fresno Hospital, where he was treated for his wounds.  The victim remained hospitalized for observation.

Case is still currently under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff's Department.  Anyone with any further information, contact Violent Crimes Detectives at (559) 735-1877.

On 03-14-13 at approximately 1730 hours, deputies responded to the 1000 block of East Date, Porterville in regards to a burglary. Upon contacting the victim, he stated two unknown male juveniles, had entered his residence while he was sleeping. The Juveniles removed property from the residence with an estimated loss of $1,000. $400 of the property was recovered and returned to the victim.

The two male juveniles, who are not being named due to their ages, were contacted at their residences. The 15 year old juvenile attempted to hide a backpack, after he saw a Sheriff’s Deputy at his residence. The backpack contained a sawed off shotgun. Both Juveniles were arrested and booked at the Juvenile Detention Facility. 



Taken into custody were:
Male Juvenile 14 yrs of age
Male Juvenile 15 yrs of age

Charges: PC 459 Burglary
            PC 33210 Possession of a short barreled shotgun
            PC 29610 Minor in Possession of a weapon

On 3-13-13 Deputies from Tulare County Sheriff=s Department arrested two Juveniles for Burglary to a residence in Alpaugh. The suspects stole items and caused damage totaling $1100. They were booked into Tulare County Juvenile Hall without incident.

Suspects:
(2) 13 year old males

On 3/10/13 Orosi Patrol Deputies responded to the Orosi Mc Donald’s Restaurant regarding a robbery.

South End Detectives also responded and found that an unknown masked male entered the restaurant at approximately 0600 hours armed with an unknown type handgun and demanded money from the cashier.  The suspect took an undisclosed amount of cash and fled on foot.  No one was injured during the incident.

The case is under investigation by South End Investigations Unit.  Anyone with information can contact Detective Maria Lomeli at (559)733-6218.

On 3/9/13 Porterville Patrol Deputies responded to the Terra Bella area regarding a report of a subject suffering from a gunshot wound.

South End Detectives also responded and found that unknown suspects shot the victim as he walked down the road in the town of Terra Bella.  The suspect(s) fled in an unknown vehicle in and unknown direction of travel. 

As a result of the shooting the victim sustained non life threatening injuries and is being treated at a local hospital. 

The case is under investigation by South End Investigations Unit.  Anyone with information can contact Detectives  at (559)733-6218.