On Wednesday, 9-29-10, at 0355 Hours, Detectives with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Tactical Enforcement Personnel (STEP) initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle at the above listed location for a vehicle code violation.  The driver of the vehicle, (S) Charles Branson, consented to a search of his vehicle and during which, detectives located approximately 3.7 ounces of processed marijuana within the vehicle.  (S) Branson claimed ownership of the marijuana and also advised he did not have a medical marijuana card. (S) Branson was taken into custody for the above listed charges and booked at the Tulare County Main Jail.

(S) Charlse Branson, age 37 of Dinuba - In Custody

UPDATE: Detectives have been advised there may have been 5-8 male adult suspects invlolved.  The items stolen are listed as: 3lbs of processed marijuana, two marijuan plants, two televisions and one wallet.  Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Sheriff's Office at 800-808-0488.

PRIOR RELEASE: Tulare County Sheriff's Detectives are investigating a home invasion burglary.  Two people, an adult male and an adult female were in the home when they awoke to multiple subjects within the residence.  A weapon was brandished and items were taken from thehome. These items included processed marijuana.  The marijuana is reportedly for medicinal purposes and the location is also being checked to verify it is in compliance. 

Additional information may be released if it does not interfere with the investigations.  Please refer questions to the P.I.O. Sgt. Chris Douglass, cdouglass@co.tulare.ca.us (preferred) or Office (559) 735-1825.

Narrative:

Suspect:  Not released ongoing investigation

On the above date and time Deputies from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office responded to a confidential address in the Visalia area regarding a report of a rape. Upon arrival Deputies contacted the victim who stated she had been raped by a known person on 9/26/10. The victim required no medical treatment at the scene. The case is currently under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Gary Marks at (559) 733-6218.

Suspects in Custody:

Castrejon, Vicente 21 yoa, Dinuba

Garduno, Jeremias 47 yoa, Sanger

On 09-23-10 the Dinuba Police Department initiated a marijuana investigation resulting from a report of a strong marijuana odor in the 150 Block of North “H” St., Dinuba. Officers located a large amount of marijuana plants and processed marijuana. 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 assisted the Dinuba Police Department with this investigation. Detectives served a narcotic search warrant on two residences located in the 150 Block of North “H” St., Dinuba. Detectives also located a large trailer containing a large amount of marijuana behind one of the residences. Marijuana plants were also located in a storage shed and were hung on ropes to dry the plants. Detectives located two small scales in the residence. Detectives seized approximately 1,600 pounds of marijuana plants and approximately 16 pounds of processed marijuana. Detectives towed two vehicles and seized one trailer.
Suspect Castrejon, Vicente Jonathon and Suspect Garduno, Jeremias Espino were arrested and booked into the Tulare County Main Jail for the following charges.  

11359 H&S = Possession of marijuana for sales.
11360 H&S = Possession of marijuana for transportation and sales.
182 P.C. = Conspriracy

Suspect Castrejon and Suspect Garduno’s bail was set at $100,000.00.
 
This case is still under investigation.

On 9/24/10 at 1400 hrs. Detectives of the Tulare County Sheriff's Department, S.T.E.P. Unit concluded a three month investigation into the illegal cultivation of marijuana in Lewis Creek, east of Lindsay. During the entry and securing of the garden site suspect Antonio Ramirez (26 yoa) from Lindsay was detained after he attempted to flee the area.  A camp with bedding, stove and food was located within the grow site.

Approx. 1203 mature marijuana plants were eradicated from the location. The plants were ready for harvest, the estimated street value of the processed marijuana from this site would be approx. $4,812,000. This investigation is on-going.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Jim Franks or Det. Gabe Macias from the S.T.E.P. unit at 713-2990

Tulare county deputies were dispatched to the area of N. Akers St. and Riggin Ave. for a reported plane crash.

Deputies arrived on scene and located a downed Ultralight aircraft with a solo occupant, Roland Longpre. The aircraft had been flying west along Riggin Ave when it struck overhead power lines causing it to crash land into an empty field west of Akers St. Longpre walked away from the crash with only minor injuries and was treated and released on scene.

The Tulare County Sheriff's Office STEP Unit is allowing media to accompany them into a marijuana grow site eradication on 9-24-2010.  Any media interested in atending are requested to notify Sgt. Chris Douglass by e-mail at cdouglass@co.tulare.ca.us .  Media are requested to meet in the west parking lot at the Government Plaza in Visalia Ca at 7:30 AM.  The team will leave promplty at 7:45.  Please have your media credentials available for review. Additional information will be provided at the meeting site.  Sgt. Chris Douglass (559) 735-1825

UPDATE

CRIME: Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Motor Vehicle Theft, Possession of Stolen Property and Felony Evading.

SUSPECT: Ronald Allen Patala, 24 years, Dinuba, Ca.

DETAILS:At approximately 0300 on 9-22-10, a Sergeant with the Dinuba Police Department checked out with a suspected stolen vehicle in the parking lot of an apartment complex located in the 1100 block of Villa Avenue. The Sergeant believed the vehicle to be unoccupied at the time and exited his vehicle, approaching on foot. The vehicle was confirmed to be stolen out of Fresno as the Sergeant approached the vehicle. The vehicle was found to be occupied by 24 year-old suspect Ronald Allen Patala of Dinuba, who placed the stolen vehicle in reverse and attempted to strike the Sergeant, ramming his marked patrol unit two times. The Sergeant fired one round striking the suspect vehicle.

The stolen vehicle then fled the area at a high rate of speed attempting to evade the Sergeant. A pursuit of the vehicle was initiated and a high speed chase ensued into Fresno County. The assistance of CHP and the Fresno County Sheriffs Department were requested as the pursuit ensued. During the pursuit, the stolen vehicle eluded officers of the Dinuba Police Department north of Reedley. The Fresno County Sheriffs Department later observed the vehicle in the rear section of a mobile home park located in the 17000 block of E. Kings Canyon and a search of the area was conducted with the assistance of CHP and air support from H-40.  A search of the wilderness area where the vehicle was located was conducted and the suspect was observed crouching near a tree next to the Kings River utilizing the FLIR camera on the helicopter. A perimeter was established a search was conducted with the assistance of a Kingsburg Officer and his K-9. The suspect was apprehended a short time later utilizing the K-9 and all assisting law enforcement personnel on scene. The suspect was treated for his injuries sustained from the K-9 apprehension at a local area hospital and later booked at the Tulare County Jail on the above charges. The officer involved has been placed on paid administrative leave and the investigation is being conducted by the Tulare County Sheriffs department.

On 9-22-2010, the Tulare County Sheriff's Tactical Enforcement Personnel Unit(STEP), Clandestine Lab Enforcement Unit (CLEU) and the Interagency Narcotic Taskforce (INET)in conjunction with our Operation Trident partners, completed a six month investigation into a drug trafficking organization (DTO) cultivating marijuana on public and private lands within Fresno, Madera and Tulare Counties. Additional public land grow sites were located within Monterey, Riverside and Santa Clara Counties. In the Tulare County area alone, this organization was responsible for illegal grow sites on public lands near Badger, Eshom, Kennedy Meadows,Three Rivers, Springville and a private land grow site in an okra field near Ivanhoe, totaling over 65,000 marijuana plants. In addition we are investigating the possibility of falsified medical marijuana referrals used to grow marijuana in backyards of residences throughout Tulare County.

Federal Search warrants were served at six locations around Tulare County. Federal Search warrants were also served in Fresno and Riverside Counties. Seven individuals are being sought on Federal arrest warrants, multiple additional subjects are facing state charges. It should be noted that all backyard medical marijuana grow sites associated with this group are being seized and the subjects involved will face federal charges on marijuana cultivation as this medical marijuana was being grown by an organization attempting to use the California medical marijuana laws as a cover for drug trafficking.

UPDATED INFORMATION

The victim, a 17 year old juvenile, died on 9/21/10 as a result of the injuries he received during this incident.

During the investigation, Violent Crimes detectives discovered the juvenile; along with 3 other suspects, arrived in the area of Road 144 and Ave 216 and contacted victims Jacinto Gomez and Justin Jolly. The suspects were armed with handguns and the stole marijuana from Gomez’ legal marijuana garden.

At one point during the robbery the suspects fled on foot with stolen marijuana. During the robbery, Geoustin Craven, a neighbor received a call and was told his neighbors were being robbed. Craven came outside armed with a handgun to assist Jolly and Gomez.

Craven came across the suspects who were still armed. The juvenile, while armed, grabbed Craven and Craven fired one round resulting in the juvenile’s injury.

Victim Gomez received an abrasion to his elbow during the incident. One of the handguns the suspects were using was recovered near the scene. Craven’s handgun was also turned over to detectives.

On Monday, 9/20/10, S-1: Gustavo Gonzalez 21 years from Porterville and S-2: Jorge Mendoza 32 years, out of Poplar, were both arrested and charged with Robbery and kidnapping. Gonzalez was already in custody at the Tulare County Main Jail on unrelated charges. Mendoza was arrested at his residence without incident. A search warrant was served at Mendoza’s residence and gang indicia were located. This did appear to be a gang crime.

S- Carlos “Chucks” Hernandez is still outstanding and is wanted for questioning. Anyone with information should contact Det. Joe Torres or Sgt. Gary Hunt at the Violent Crimes Office at 559-735-1898 or 800-808-0488

Narrative:

On the above date and time Detectives from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office responded to an undisclosed location in Porterville regarding a report of Sodomy. Detectives contacted the victim who reported a known person had committed the act of Sodomy at a location in Tulare. Detectives responded to the Tulare location and took the suspect into custody without incident. The case is currently under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Titus at (559)733-6218

UPDATED INFORMATION:

During the investigation, it was discovered a party was being thrown at the Cutler Latin American Club at 12255 Ave 408. The suspect, Ambriz, and V-Hernandez reportedly got into an argument. During the argument, the suspect shot V-Hernandez. After shooting V-Hernandez, he also shot V-Espinoza several times. V-3 Villegas was working as an armed security guard at the time and when he confronted S-Ambriz, S-Ambriz and V-Villegas shot each other. S-Ambriz fled, but was pursued and captured by another security guard a short distance from the party, and detained until deputies arrived.

V-Espinoza, V-Villegas and S-Ambriz were all transported to area hospitals. All are still at area hospitals and are currently in stable condition.

No photos are being released at this time for investigative purposes. Photos should be available for release at a later time.

Anyone with information in regards to this case, please contact Sgt. Hunt or Det. Garcia at (559) 735-1898 or (800) 808-0488.

AS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED:

On 9-18-10, at approx. 2233 hours, Orosi Patrol deputies responded to the crime scene regarding a subject suffering from a gun shot wound. Upon arrival, deputies located a subject that was non-responsive and was confirmed deceased. Members of the Tulare County Violent Crimes Unit responded and took over the investigation.

The victim’s identity has not been released pending notification of the next of kin. The Tulare County Coroners Office will conduct an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

The Tulare County Violent Crimes Unit is asking anyone with information in regards to this case, please contact Sgt. Hunt or Det. Garcia at (559) 735-1898 or (800) 808-0488.
 

Narrative: 

Suspect: Bolivar Ambriz (Adult).

Dinuba, Ca

On 9-18-10, at approx. 2233 hours, Orosi Patrol deputies responded to the crime scene regarding a subject suffering from a gun shot wound. Upon arrival, deputies located a subject that was non-responsive and was confirmed deceased. Members of the Tulare County Violent Crimes Unit responded and took over the investigation.

The victim’s identity has not been released pending notification of the next of kin. The Tulare County Coroners Office will conduct an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

The Tulare County Violent Crimes Unit is asking anyone with information in regards to this case, please contact Sgt. Hunt or Det. Garcia at (559) 735-1898 or (800) 808-0488.

Narrative:

On 09/18/10, Deputies responded to the 30600 block of Rd 72 regarding a stab wound victim. Upon arriving Deputies located a male adult , later identified as Florentino Acosta, who had suffered from a laceration to his head. Information lead the deputies two a second victim who was located at Kaweah Delta Hospital. During the investigation it was later learned that Acosta was the suspect of the assault on the second victim. Through continued investigation Deputies placed Acxosta under arrest for attempt homicide. Acosta was later booked at the Tulare County Main Jail. The victim is currently listed in stable condition.

The Tulare County Sheriff’s Department is partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration, local governments, community, public health and law enforcement officials in announcing a nationwide prescription drug take-back day in hopes of preventing pill abuse and theft.

Expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs will be collected for destruction from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 25 at sites throughout the country.
This is the first national organized prescription take-back day. The service is free and anonymous.

The Tulare County Sheriff's Department will have four stations where unused prescription drugs can be collected. No appointment is necessary.

Participating sites are:
Sheriff’s Headquarters, 2404 W. Burrel Visalia, Ca.
Pixley Sheriff’s  Substation, 161 N. Pine Pixly, Ca.
Porterville Sheriff’s Substation,  379 N. Third Porterville, Ca.
Cutler/ Orosi Sheriff’s Substation, 41414 Road 128, Orosi, CA

For information please contact Lt. Marsh Carter  559-713-2950