Sheriff Bill Wittman will be holding a ceremony to promote Detective Mark Wallace to the rank of Operations Sergeant on Friday, July 30, 2010 at 10:00 am.  The ceremony will be held at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Headquarters Lobby.  Friends and family will also be present to show their support.

Det. Wallace was born and raised in Exeter. His formal education includes graduating from Exeter High School in 1985 and attending the College of the Sequoias from 1986-1988 graduating with his Associates degree in Liberal Arts as well as Criminal Justice.

Det. Wallace’s off duty interests include raising his children, fishing and hunting, not to mention Mark has also been in the study of Martial Arts since the age of 14.  

Det. Wallace began his Law Enforcement career in 1989 when he attended and graduated from the College of the Sequoias Police Academy.  In December of 1989, he was deputized with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office and assigned to the Detentions Divisions where he was responsible for the safety and security of inmates. 

In 1994 he was transferred to the Operations Division assigned to the Orosi Substation.  In 1996 Det. Wallace attended Field Training Officer School and was assigned as an FTO.  In 1999 Det. Wallace transferred to the Headquarters station where he continued to hold the position of FTO.  Mark was also assigned the VIP unit while at Headquarters. 
 
In 2001 Mark was promoted to Detective and assigned to the Sheriff’s Tactical Enforcement Personnel Unit.  Mark was also one of the team members that responded to the Exeter Bank Robbery in 2006.  Mark was the third man into the bank at the conclusion of that incident, taking the suspect into custody without any loss or damage to life.  After six years in STEP, Mark transferred to the Property Crimes Unit were he has worked for the last three years.  

Sheriff Bill Wittman offers his sincere congratulations to Sergeant Mark Wallace, and wishes him well in his new assignment as a supervisor.  The public is welcome to join the Department, friends and family in the Sheriff’s Headquarters Lobby Friday, July 30, 2010 at 10:00 am to witness the ceremony and celebrate his promotion.  Refreshments to follow.

On 7-28-10 deputies were dispatched to a possible kidnaping near Delano.  It was determined that the victim had been kidnaped during a car jacking.  The victim was later released several miles away with minor injuries and reported the incident.  Detectives with the Violent Crimes unit responded to investigate further.  During the course of the investigation the victim’s vehicle was located and recovered.
    The investigation is on going an anyone with information is encouraged to contact Det. Molyneux at (559) 735-1898 or (800)808-0488.

’s Gang Violence Suppression Unit conducted routine patrol in the towns of Goshen, Ivanhoe, London, Traver, Dinuba, Orosi and Cutler. During their contacts Detectives contacted and identified several suspected gang members, serving 6 of them with Gang Injunctions for the Cutler & Orosi areas. Detectives also towed 6 vehicles, served 4 felony arrest warrants, 5 misdemeanor arrest warrants and seized an undisclosed amount of Methamphetamine. As a result of their efforts, Detectives arrested 16 people for various Penal Code, Vehicle Code and Health & Safety Code violations, including one suspect for a Federal Fugitive Warrant. All suspects were booked at the Tulare County Main Jail or the Juvenile Detention Facility.

Taken into custody were:

1) Name: Valasquez, Ismael Age: 58 Resident: Ivanhoe

Charges: 647 (f) PC & Misdemeanor Warrant2) Name: Costa, Jessica Age: 35 Resident: Ivanhoe

Charges: Felony Warrant & Misdemeanor Warrant

3) Name: Prather, Terry Age: 52 Resident: Visalia

Charges: 11364 HS & 11550 HS

4) Name: Rodriguez, Jesus Age: 30 Resident: Ivanhoe

Charges: 11379 HS & 11378 HS

5) Name: Male Juvenile Age: 16 Resident: Orosi

Charges: Felony Warrant

6) Name: Rangel, Gabriel Age: 35 Resident: Orosi

Charges: Felony Warrant

7) Name: Bravo, Pedro Age: 30 Resident: Kingsburg

Charges: 14601 CVC

8) Name: Taylor, Ronald Age: 19 Resident: London

Charges: Fresno County Warrant

9) Name: Gomez-Olivas, Raul Age: 18 Resident: Orosi

Charges: 23152 CVC

10) Name: Calixto, Rogelio Age: 46 Resident: 23152

Charges: CVC & Misdemeanor Warrant

11) Name: Male Juvenile Age: 16 Resident: Dinuba

Charges: Felony Warrant

12) Name: Garcia, Andres Age: 24 Resident: Hanford

Charges: 653 (k) PC

13) Name: Lopez, Israel Araisa Age: 26 Resident: Orosi

Charges: 11377 HS

14) Name: Morelos, Iran Age: 21 Resident: Orosi

Charges: Federal Fugitive Warrant

15) Name: Morelos, Ana Age: 25 Resident: Orosi

Charges: 12500 CVC

16) Name: Torres, Brian Age: 24 Resident: Orosi

Charges: Misdemeanor Warrant

’ departments Gang Violence Suppression Unit.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation or any type of gang activity in Tulare County is urged to contact the Tulare County Sheriff

’ Department’s Gang Violence Suppression Unit at the toll free number of :

1-888-END-GANG (1-888-363-4264)

On 07-23-10, Detectives with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department South County Gang Violence Suppression Unit and Tulare County Community Base Officers conducted a series of probation searches and warrant services in the South County towns of Pixley and Earlimart.

As a result of the gang operation conducted, approximately ten gang members were identified and four people were taken into custody. During one of the searches in the 600 block of Bobbi in the town of Earlimart detectives located two outstanding subjects that were wanted for a recent kidnaping and assault on a female. One of the subjects a validated gang member was located in the attic of the residence. It was also discovered that the subject had removed his electronic ankle monitor. The listed subjects were taken into custody, on the below listed charges.

Taken into custody were:

1) Male Juvenile 17 Yrs. Earlimart resident Date of arrest: 7-23-10 Charges: 207 PC/ Kidnaping 186.22 PC/Gang Enhancement

On 07-21-10 at approximately 1700 hours, Deputies were contacted by the victim who advised that someone had stole her child support check and cashed it at a store in Poplar. The victim advised that for some unknown reason her mail was being forwarded to an address in Lindsay. Deputies responded to the Lindsay address and contacted the home owner Rosana Burdusco. Burdusco later admitted to forging the child support check and cashing it at the market in Poplar. Burdusco was arrested and booked for PC470 and PC459.

Suspect in Custody

James Floyd, 67 years old, Poplar CA

Detectives from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement conducted a sex offender compliance check in the Poplar area.  Detectives contacted and arrested James Floyd, 67 of Poplar, for failure to register as a sex offender.

Floyd was booked and is being held at the Tulare County Main Jail.  Bail was set at $25,000.00.

UPDATE

On 07-22-10, an autopsy was performed by Tulare County Coroner’s Office.  The cause the death was determined to be exsangunation, caused by gunshots.

Suspect: Karl Todd, 22 year old male from the Goshen area.

On 07-21-10 at approximately 0002 hours, Tulare County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to a report of shots fired in the area of Farr Rd. and Ave 310, in the community of Goshen.

Upon arrival, deputies located the Victim, who had been determined to have been shot.  The Victim was transported to the Kaweah Delta District Hospital where life saving measures were taken without success.  The Victim was pronounced deceased by Kaweah Delta medical staff as a result of the gunshot wounds.

Tulare County Detectives were requested and responded to the scene to investigate this incident.  During the investigation, it was learned that a domestic dispute ensued between the victim and his girlfriend.  During the altercation, the suspect who is the brother of the victims girlfriend and who was also present, produced a handgun, firing two to three shots at the victim, striking him in the upper body.  As indicated above, the victim expired due to the result of his injuries.

The suspect was taken into custody without incident and later booked into the Tulare County Main Jail, held without bail. 

Anyone with any information is encouraged to contact the Tulare County Violent crimes unit at 733-6218, Detective Frank Zaragoza  

Offence:   261 PC - Rape., 261.5 PC - Unlawful sex w/a minor., 207 PC - Kidnaping 243(e)(1) PC - Domestic Violence

Narrative:

On 7-18-10 at approximately 0822 hrs., the Tulare County Sheriff's Department was called to an address in the City of Dinuba were an alleged kidnaping, sexual assault, rape and domestic violence incident, involving a juvenile female and an adult male, was being reported to have had occurred in the 43300 block of Road 112 in the community of Orosi.

TCSO Detectives responded to the Dinuba address and took over the investigation. A search for the suspect was performed but he was not located. Due to the nature of this incident and the early stage of investigation, no further information is being released at this time. Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Sgt. Moore or Det. Zaragoza at 1-800-808-0488.

Case Number 10-80211 to 10-80218 & 10-8638

Crime:  Assault with a Deadly Weapon / Participation in a Criminal Street gang / Possession of a Controlled

              Substance / Transportation of a Controlled Substance / Possession of a Controlled Substance for

              Sales / Under the Inlfluence of a Controlled Substance / Felony Evading a Peace Officer (Pursuit) / 

              Violation of a Court Order / Public Intoxication / Felony Warrant / Misdemeanor Warrant

Date:   7-16-10 & 7-17-10

Detectives with the Tulare County Sheriff's Gang Violence Suppression unit patrolled the towns of Cutler, Orosi and Dinuba over the weekend.  During their contacts, Detectives arrested 10 people for various Penal Code, Vehicle Code and Health & Safety Code violations.  Detectives also seized suspected controlled substances including Methamphetamine, Marijuana and Prescription drugs without a doctors prescription, and a loaded firearm.  Detectives also towed 3 vehicles, and contacted and identified several suspected gang members. 

Gang Unit Detectives also investigated an Assault With a deadly Weapon that occurred in the 12700 block of Avenue 424, Orosi on 7-15-10.  With the assistance of Sheriff's patrol Deputies, a suspect was identified and arrested.  The suspect, a 17 year old from Orosi, was booked into the Juvenile Detention Facility and charged with Assault With a deadly Weapon and Participation in a Criminal Street Gang. 

Taken into custody were:

1)  Name:  Female Juvenile      Age:  17        Resident:  Cutler

     Charges:  11359 HS, 11379 HS, 11378 HS

2)  Name:  Zamora, Eric             Age:  19        Resident:  Orosi

     Charges:  11359 HS, 11379 HS, 11378 HS

3)  Name:  Male Juvenile           Age:  16        Resident:  Orosi

     Charges:  11357 HS, 647(f) PC, 12500 VC

4)  Name:  Male Juvenile            Age:  17        Resident:  Orosi

    Charges:  245 PC, 186.22 PC

5)  Name:  Balaam, Blake         Age:  24        Resident:  Farmersville

      Charges:  2800.1 VC, 22450 VC

6)  Name:  Stafford, Michelle    Age:  27        Resident:  London

     Charges:  Felony Warrant (Fresno County) for 11377 HS

7)  Name:  Manzo, Alex               Age:  18        Resident:  Cutler

     Charges:  166.4 PC, 647(f) PC

8)  Name:  Garza, Mercedes       Age:  20        Resident:  Dinuba

     Charges:  11377 HS, 11550 HS

9)  Name:  Ramirez, Arnuldo      Age:  32        Resident:  Orange Cove

     Charges:  647(f) PC

10) Name:  Luevanos, Librado    Age:  34        Resident:  Cutler

     Charges:  Misdemeanor Warrant for Traffic Violations

This case remains under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff's Departments Gang Violence Suppression Unit.  Anyone with information regarding this investigation or any type of gang activity in Tulare County is urged to contact the Tulare County Sheriff's Departments Gang Violence Suppression Unit at the toll free number of:

1-888-END-GANG (1-888-363-4264)

Persons giving information can remain anonymous.

 On 07/15/2010 at approximately 1633 hours, Deputies from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department responded to a residence located within the 14700 block of Road 190 in Poplar, regarding a report of a home invasion.  Upon arrival it was discovered while the victim was asleep, a suspect entered into the residence and removed approximately $329.00 of property from the occupied residence, without permission.   During the Deputies investigation, $154.00 of the property was located and two subjects were subsequently arrested for involvement in the crime.

Suspect-1: Cesar Domingo Jr. 18YOA
Suspect-2: Michael Ridge Jr. 20 YOA

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

(S-1)    Zamora, Eric 19 Yrs old
(S-2)    Juvenile female

On the above date and time Tulare County Detectives from the Gang Suppression Unit conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle in the area of Rd 128/Ave 400 for a traffic violation.  Upon a search of the vehicle Detectives found over two ounces of marijuana packed for individual sales. Also in the vehicle Detectives located approximately 6.5 grams of crystal methamphetamine and packaging material.  Eric Zamora and a juvenile Female were taken into custody.

The case is currently under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriffs Department

On 07-15-2010, Deputies with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched to the area of Rd 128 and Ave 424 for a report of a stabbing victim. Upon arrival, Deputies located the above victim suffering from a stab wound to his left elbow. The victim was transported to Kaweah Delta Hospital for medical treatment and was later released.

Detectives with the Gang Violence Suppression Unit responded to the crime scene and took over the investigation. This case is currently under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department Gang Unit.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Department at 1-888-END-GANG (1-888-363-4264)

Suspect in custody:  Stees, Earl  57 years, Dinuba, CA

On 07/14/2010 The Tulare County Sheriff’s Department’s Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE) Team, the Dinuba Police Department and with assistance from the Fresno ICAC Task Force served a search warrant at the Stees residence in regards to a possession of child pornography investigation. After a five month investigation which began when Stees took his home computer to a computer repair shop for a computer virus the repair technician noted child pornography on the computer and turned the computer over to Law Enforcement.

The ensuing investigation determined Stees was in possession of child pornography which culminated in the search warrant. Stees was taken into custody without incident and booked at the Tulare County Main Jail on Possession of Child Pornography and is being held in lieu of $40,000.00 bail at this time.

The investigation is continuing and anybody with information is encouraged to contact Det. C. Paul Gezzer at (559) 735-1970.

The Tulare County Sheriff’s Departments SAFE Team is funded by a state grant from the California Emergency Management Agency and is an affiliate member of the Fresno ICAC Task Force.

Photo available through the Tulare County Main Jail.

Victims:

V-2, Male Juvenile, 16 years, Earlimart Injuries: Gun shot wound to lower body

V-3, Male Juvenile, 15 years, Earlimart Injuries: Gun shot wound to lower body

***NEWS RELEASE UPDATE - ARREST MADE***

On 07/13/2010, detectives from the Violent Crimes Investigations Unit and the South County Gang Unit served two search warrants in the 1800 block of West Sierra in Earlimart. There, suspect Robert Rivera, 20 years old, was arrested at his residence. The vehicle used in the crime was located and taken as evidence, along with gang indicia. Two marijuana plants were located at the residence and seized. Rivera was arrested without incident and booked into the Tulare County Main Jail on the following charges: 664/187 PC Attempted Murder, 32 PC Accessory after the fact, 182.66 PC Participating in a Gang Crime, and 11358 HS Cultivation of Marijuana.

PREVIOUS NEWS RELEASE INFORMATION:

As previously reported, on 7/01/2010 at 1850 hours, deputies from the Pixely substation responded to a call of shots fired at Church and Sutter, and 1 block west at State and Sutter. Deputies arrived and found three gun shot wound victims, listed above, on scene. Victim #1 was air lifted to an area hospital for the above listed injuries. He underwent surgeries and remains stable in an area hospital at this time. Victims 2 and 3 were transported by ambulance to another area hospital for non life threatening injuries. Both were treated and released

Detectives from the Violent Crimes Unit responded to investigate. During the investigation it was discovered that victims 1 and 3 were walking in the area of Church and Sutter when the suspects arrived in a vehicle and fired at the victims. As the suspects were leaving they fired at Victim #2 at State and Sutter.

The case remains under investigation at this time. More arrests are expected. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Jose Torres or Sgt. Gary Hunt at the Tulare County Sheriff's Department Violent Crimes Unit at 559-733-6218 or 1-800-808-0488.

Crime- Possession of a Deadly Weapon/Possession of a Controlled Substance/Being Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance/Violation of a Court Order/Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol/Public Intoxication/Misdemeanor Warrants/Felony Warrant

Date and Time Occurred-7-7-10 to 7-10-10