Detectives with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Departments South County Gang Violence Suppression Unit conducted patrol in the South County towns of Pixley, Earlimart, Richgrove, Terra Bella , Poplar and Porterville area.

As a result of the gang patrol suppression conducted, approximately twenty gang members identified, eight people were taken into custody for various Penal Code and Vehicle Code violations. They also issued six citations and towed three vehicles. Detectives also seized Narcotics and gang indicia during the suppression.

Taken into custody were:

1)Raul Raya 20yrs.     Porterville resident

Charges: 12500 VC/Unlicensed driver

2)Fernando Cantor 25yrs    Porterville resident

Charges:  Outstanding warrants

3)Xavier Medrano 21yrs     Pixley resident

Charges: 14601 VC/suspended license

4)Charles Mauldin 49yrs.     Three Rivers resident

Charges:  11550 H&S/ under the influence of narcotics

5)Gabriel Castillo 38yrs            Poplar resident

Charges: 148/148.9PC/ resisting and delaying/false information

6)Eduardo Baltazar 35yrs          Richgrove resident

Charges: 11379 H&S/ possession and transportation of a controlled substance

7)Janice Bradshaw 44yrs          Three Rivers resident

Charges:  11550 H&S/ under the influence

8)Carlos Panchillo 22yrs    Porterville resident

Charges: 647F PC/Public intoxication

This case remains under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department’s - 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 Department’s - Gang Violence Suppression Unit at the toll free number of :

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

Over this past weekend, Detectives with the Tulare County Sheriff's Gang Violence Supperssion Unit conducted patrol in the towns of Traver, London, Orosi, Cutler, Ivanhoe and Goshen. During their contacts, Detectives arrested 9 subjects for various Penal Code, Vehicle Code and Health & Safety Code violations. Detectives seized an undisclosed amount of methamphetamine, towed 4 vehicles and contacted 26 suspected gang members.

Detectives also got into a short pursuit in the town of London with a suspected drunk driver, Jose Lara, 19 years old from London. This investigation was turned over to the California Highway Patrol.

Taken into custody were:

1. Male Juvenile 17 Ivanhoe Felony Warrant

2. Maldonado-Mateo, Edgar 21 Visalia Misdemeanor Warrant

3. Abarca, Arturo 44 Visalia Misdemeanor Warrant

4. Munoz, Jose Raul 39 Goshen Felony Warrant

5. Ladesma, Jose 19 London 2800.1 CVC/23152 CVC

6. Romero, Ignacio 32 Orange Cove 11550 HS

7. Garcia, Luis 21 Orosi 23152 CVC

8. Fries, Curt 28 Dinuba 11379 HS, 11378 HS, 12022 PC, 148 PC, 4573.6 PC

9. Magao, Amor 33 Orosi 11550 HS, 11364 HS

This case remains under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff's department 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). Persons giving information can remain anonymous.

Narrative:On

8/12/10 at 1600 hrs. detectives of the Sheriff’s Tactical Enforcement Personnel (S.T.E.P.) Team completed a month long investigation of illegal marijuana gardens located in corn fields near Tipton and Visalia and in the ranch land near Posey In the corn field grow sites, areas of corn were destroyed and the marijuana planted in the middle of the crops to conceal it from legitimate dairy workers and law enforcement. In the Posey grow site plants were hidden in a heavily wooded drainage. Growers diverted water for the plants from a cattle watering system

No suspects were located at the scenes, the cases are under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Franks of the STEP Unit. 559-713-2990

Plants counts are

Posey Garden - 551 plants eradicated

Tipton Corn field garden - 2503 plants eradicated

Visalia Corn Field garden - 850 plants eradicated

The Tulare County Sheriff’s Department will be holding a press conference on 8-12-10 at 1300 hours in the Headquarters lobby in regard to this investigation.

On April 4, 2009 the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department initiated an investigation  following a robbery homicide that occurred at the Super Stop market in Kingsburg off of Highway 99.  During the preliminary investigation, it was learned that the victim, Gurtaj Nahal, was working as the store clerk when he was confronted by an armed subject who robbed the store.  During the commission of the robbery, on of the suspects fired at Nahal fatally wounding him.

Since the date of the murder, the case has remained active with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department Violent Crimes Unit.  As a result of the ongoing investigation, Detectives  developed leads implicating two suspects identified as Abraham Del Toro of  Dinuba and Raymond Woodward of Van Nuys.

On August 11, 2010 both suspects were taken into custody as a result of a coordinated law enforcement effort headed by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department.  With the assistance of the United States Marshal’s Service and the Los Angeles Police Department, Raymond Woodward was apprehended in the Los Angeles area.  Simultaneously, Abraham Del Toro was arrested in the Dinuba area with the assistance of the Dinuba Police Department.

Additional efforts in the investigation  include  multiple search warrants served in the Gilroy area with the assistance of the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department as well as in the City of Dinuba in collaboration with the Dinuba Police Department.  An additional search warrant was served in the Fresno area in connection with the case.  Both suspects in the investigation have been booked on charges of murder and robbery without the possibility to post bail.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Sgt. Gary Hunt or Det. Joe Torres with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department Violent Crimes Unit at (559) 735-1898.

Suspect Information:
Abraham Del Toro
DOB: 11-29-87
Dinuba, Ca

Raymond Woodward
DOB: 7-22-87
Van Nuys, Ca

(Suspect photos are available upon request)

On Wednesday, August 10, 2010, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Coroner Unit performed an autopsy on the body recovered from Lake Kaweah.  During the course of the autopsy the body was positively identified as Mark Burgess 46 years out of Tulare.  The identification was made by dental record comparison.  Burgess’ cause of death was determined to be from fresh water drowning.  No obvious signs of trauma were observed.  A toxicology report is pending.

On Sunday, May 30, 2010 at approximately 1645 hours there was a boating accident near the Greasy Cove area of Lake Kaweah.  It was determined Mark Burgess was missing as a result of the accident.  Divers from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office searched in the area he was last reported in.  Divers were unable to locate Burgess.  The lake level was at it’s capacity at the time of the accident.  The divers continued to search several times in the following days.  The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers volunteered to assist with the assistance of their underwater submersible with video and sonar capabilities.  The Office of Emergency Services was contacted and cadaver detection dogs were requested and deployed on boats in an attempt to locate emerging scent off the water of the lake.  None of these attempts were successful in locating Burgess.

On July 7, 2010 Commander James Buttrey from the Merced County Sheriff’s Department arrived with equipment to assist in the attempt to locate Burgess.  Merced County utilized their dive barge and SeaBotix ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle) to search the general area of the accident site.  Merced County searched the water for the remainder of the day with negative results.

The water temperature was estimated at 70 degrees at the surface and below 40 degrees at a depth lower than 150 feet.  This is in part by the cold winter water filling the lake.

Over the course of the next 71 days members of the Tulare County Sheriff Dive Team have made numerous dives in attempts to locate Burgess.  Numerous helicopter fly-overs were conducted as well.  With the assistance of the Tulare County Lake Patrol, a Sheriff’s Deputy was on a Lake Patrol boat every day since the date of the accident.

On Monday, August 9, 2010 Commander James Buttrey from the Merced County Sheriff’s Department arrived with equipment to assist in the attempt to locate Burgess.  In addition to the ROV a side search sonar unit with onboard GPS was deployed.  This piece of equipment had just been obtained by Commander Buttrey.  The barge was deployed into the area of the accident.  The water level had dropped approximately 65 feet since the time of the accident.  The side search sonar located a possible image of Burgess at a depth of approximately 110 feet.  Utilizing the GPS coordinates of the sonar, the barge moved into a position closer to the area of the image.  The ROV was deployed and a video image of Burgess was obtained.  The ROV attempted to grab Burgess with the robotic arm of the ROV.  As this was underway the fiber optic control cable became entangled in the barge propeller.  The robotic arm was rendered unusable.  Due to the depth and the time of day, no recovery divers were deployed into the water.

On Tuesday, August 10, 2010 with the assistance of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers form Pine Flat Reservoir and utilizing a similar ROV the search continued.  Within a few hours Burgess was located and recovery began.  Utilizing the robotic arm of the ROV Burgess was removed from the indention (sunken area of lake floor).  Several large rocks were around Burgess masking his image from prior sonar scan attempts.  Once on the surface, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released control of the body to the Sheriff’s Department Dive Team.  Burges was placed on a Lake Patrol boat and transported to the Lemon Hill Boat ramp where the body was released to the Coroner’s Unit.

The Tulare County Sheriff’s Department would like to thank the Merced County Sheriff’s Department for their vital assistance in the search and ultimate finding of Burgess in the water.

Also our thanks go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Tulare County Lake Patrol for their continued support and assistance during this search and investigation.

We would like to thank the members of the Dive team for the countless hours of searching the dark waters trying to locate Burgess.

Lt. Keith Douglass

****

On 8/10/10 at approximately 1605 hours, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Dive Team located and recovered the body of an unidentified subject at Kaweah Lake.

Violent Crimes Detectives also responded to the scene.  There has been no identification of the subject at this time.  No additional information available at this time and the case is pending autopsy.

The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Merced County Sheriff’s Office, Army Corps of Engineers and Tulare County Lake Patrol for their assistance.

Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

The case is under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Violent Crimes Unit.  Anyone with information can contact Detective Maria Garcia at (559)733-6218.

Detectives with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Departments County Gang Violence Suppression Units and Community Base officer conducted a series of Search warrants and high profile suppression operation in the South and North County towns from the Pixley, Earlimart, Tipton, Orosi and Cutler area.

As a result of the gang operation conducted, approximately forty gang members identified, twenty four people were taken into custody for various Penal Code and Vehicle Code violations. They also issued ten citations and towed four vehicles. A stolen vehicle, narcotics and gang indicia were also recovered during the operation

Taken into custody were:

1) Juan Gomes 29Yrs. Earlimart resident Date of arrest:8-6-10  Charges: 12500 VC/ Unlicensed driver

2) Richard Anthony Gutierrez 26Yrs. Earlimart resident Date of arrest 08-6-10 Charges: Outstanding warrants

3) Samuel Ortega 26 Yrs. Earlimart resident Date of arrest: 08-06-10 Charges:14601 VC/suspended license

4) Raymuneo Rivera 19 Yrs. Pixley resident Date of arrest 08-06-10 Charges: 11550 H&S/ under the influence of narcotics

5) Lee Paxton 37Yrs Visalia resident Date of arrest 08-06-10 Charges: 148.9 PC/ resisting and delaying

6) Alonzo Orosco 21 Yrs. Earlimart resident Date of arrest 08-06-10 Charges:148.9 PC/ resisting and delaying

7)Javier Zapien 21 Yrs. Pixley resident Date of arrest 08-06-10 Charges: 11550 H&S/ under the influence of narcotics

8) Kerry Alves 39 Yrs. Pixley resident Date of arrest 08-06-10 Charges:11379 H&S/ possession and transportation of a controlled substance

9) Shawn Woods: 28 Yrs: Lindsay resident Date of arrest 08-07-10 Charges: outstanding felony warrant

10) Leonardo Ambriz 24 Yrs. Pixley resident Date of arrest 08-07-10Charges: 23152 VC/ Driving under the influence

11)Gabino Gomez: 20 Yrs Earlimart resident Date of arrest 08-07-10 Charges:11350/11377 H&S/ possession and transportation of a controlled substance

12) Jose Uribe: 29Yrs. Earlimart resident Date of arrest: 08-07-10 Charges: 12500 VC/ Unlicensed driver

13) Arasmo Gonzalez: 28Yrs. Earlimart resident Date of arrest: 08-07-10  Charges: 10851 2800.1 VC/ stolen vehicle and failure to yield/outstanding felony warrant

14)Tracy Savole: 28Yrs. Earlimart resident Date of arrest: 08-07-10 Charges: 10851VC/ 148 PC/ stolen vehicle and resisting arrest

15)Male Juvenile: 17 Yrs. Earlimart resident Date of arrest: 08-07-10 Charges: 10851VC/ 148 PC/ stolen vehicle and resisting arrest

16) John Delfin : 36Yrs Earlimart resident Date of arrest: 08-07-10  Charges: 475 & 135 PC/ 11550 H&S/ under the influence of a controlled substance/ possession of fictitious currency.

17)Jose Ricardo Ramirez: 19 Yrs. Porterville resident Date of arrest:08-07-10 Charges:245 & 186.22 PC/ outstanding warrant for assault with a deadly weapon/ Gang enhancement

18)Edgar Manriquez: 21 Yrs. Porterville resident Date of arrest:08-07-10 Charges:245 & 186.22 PC/ outstanding warrant for assault with a deadly weapon/ Gang enhancement

19)Francisco Perez: 30 Yrs. Woodville resident Date of arrest:08-06-10 Charges: outstanding warrant

 20) Natash Perkin: 32 Yrs London resident Date of arrest 08-06-10 Charges: 11350/11377 H&S/ possession and transportation of a controlled substance

21) Ismael Gonzalez: 20 Yrs Reedley resident Date of arrest 08-06-10 Charges:11364 H&S/ possession of drug paraphernalia

22) Nick Gonzalez: 18 Yrs Orosi resident Date of arrest 08-06-10 Charges:647(f) PC/ public intoxication

23) Omar Orozco: 23 Yrs Cutler resident Date of arrest 08-06-10 Charges: 166.4 PC / restraining order violation

24) Noel Espinoza: 21 Yrs Cutler resident Date of arrest 08-06-10 Charges: 166.4 PC / restraining order violation

This case remains under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department’s - 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 Department’s - Gang Violence Suppression Unit at the toll free number of :

On 8-7-10, at 0111 hours, The Tulare County Sheriff’s Department received a report of a fight between multiple subjects near the intersection of Lincoln / Fourth St, Porterville. Upon arrival no subjects were located and the area was deserted. 0156 hours, the same date, Sierra View Hospital contacted the Sheriff’s Department reporting a victim from a fight had been brought in and had sustained a strike to his head. The subject was transported to Community Regional Medical Center where he was treated and later released.

Case under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department

Narrative:

Suspect-1: Ramiro Salas Munoz, 31 years out of the Lindsay area.

Suspect-2: Andrew Carl Bassett, 31 years out of the Visalia area.

On 7-15-10 during the early morning hours, the above listed suspects entered the property of a Visalia area residence and removed several antique signs as well as a antique gas pump. A two week investigation performed by Deputies from the Visalia, Headquarters Station developed leads that were taken over by The North County Investigations Unit. Further investigations conducted by North County Detectives resulted in the arrest of the two above mentioned suspects.

This case is currently under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office as there is property from this theft that is still outstanding. Anyone with any information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Sgt. Moore of the North County Investigations Unit at 559-733-6218 or toll free at 1-800-808-0488.

Narrative:

Three Known Male Juveniles

On Thursday, 08-05-10 at approximately 1800 hrs. Tulare County Sheriff’s detectives responded to the Porterville Police Department where they met with Porterville Police detectives who had arrested three juveniles for being in possession of a stolen vehicle. Through their investigation it was determined that the stolen vehicle was taken during a burglary that occurred in the 14600 block of Walker, Rd., Poplar.

Detectives interviewed the three male juveniles who were arrested for being in possession of the stolen vehicle. The juveniles admitted to stealing the vehicle as well as property from inside the residence during the commission of the burglary. The juveniles were arrested for burglary, possession of stolen property, and vehicle theft. They were later transported to the Tulare County Juvenile Detention Facility where they were booked on the aforementioned charges.

Detectives later responded to multiple residences located in the Poplar area where they recovered additional stolen items that were taken during the burglary. The items include but are not limited to articles of clothing and miscellaneous electronic equipment. The recovered property was later positively identified as belonging to the victim(s) and was returned.

This case is currently under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department. Anyone with information regarding this burglary or location of stolen property is asked to contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department South End Property Crimes Unit at (559) 782-9674.

Case Number- 10-9294

Crime- Attempt Homicide/Conspiracy/Committing a Crime for a Criminal Street Gang/Violation of a Court Order

Date and Time Occurred- 07-30-10 @ 1350 hrs. & 8-5-10 @ 0800 hrs

Victim- 17 year old male juvenile

Narrative:

Detectives with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Gang Violence Suppression Unit conducted an investigation into a gang related shooting that occurred last Friday, 7-30-10, in the town of Orosi. A 17 year old male victim was shot once in his left leg by possible rival gang members.

The investigation culminated today, 8-5-10, in the service of three Search Warrants at residences in Cutler and Orosi. One Search Warrant was served at a residence in the 12700 block of 2^nd Drive in Cutler, a second Search Warrant was served at a residence in the 12500 block of Aceves Avenue in Orosi. The third Search Warrant was served at a residence in the 12600 block of Avenue 424 in Orosi.

As a result of the investigation and Search Warrants, Gang Unit Detectives arrested two suspects. Both suspects were charged with the listed violations and booked into the Tulare County Main Jail.

1) Name: Valverde, Alejandro Age: 21 Resident: Orosi

Charges: 664-187 PC, 182 PC, 186.22 PC

2) Name: Soto, Christian Age: 19 Resident: Cutler

Charges:664-187 PC, 182 PC, 186.22 PC, 166.4 PC

This case remains under investigation by the Tulare County sheriff’ 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).

Narrative:(S)#1: 17 yr. old male juvenile, Earlimart

(S)#2: Rolando Tut, AKA Mariano Escovar, 25 yrs, Earlimart

On 8-2-10 at approx. 0730 hours, Wilson farms reported the theft of approx. $15,000 worth of grape harvesting equipment. This case was referred to the Agricultural Crimes Unit for follow up. During this investigation AG Crime Detectives developed information of subjects in the Earlimart area selling some of the victims stolen property. Ag Crime detectives set up an undercover operation and made arrangements to meet with the suspects and purchase the stolen items. Upon meeting with the suspects they were immediately taken into custody without incident. One of the suspects was found to be in possession of a loaded and concealed handgun.

(V)s property was located in the suspects vehicle and a search warrant was authored for the suspects residence where additional property was located. During this investigation, additional stolen property from a previous robbery/kidnapping case was located and an additional male juvenile suspect was identified in that case. Both of these cases are still under investigation and anyone with information is asked to please contact Sgt. Jody Cox or Det. Mike Hallum of the Tulare County Sheriff's Department Agricultural Crimes Unit at 559-735-1853 or 559-733-6218.

Narrative:

On 8/3/10 at 1000 hrs. detectives of the Sheriff’s Tactical Enforcement Personnel (S.T.E.P.) Team responded to an Okra field in the area of Ave. 324 and Rd. 160 for a suspected marijuana garden. Detectives located 16,004 plants growing among the Okra crop on a 5 acre parcel. The plants had been tied down to grow close to the ground to avoid detection from passers-by. No suspects were located at the scene, the case is under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Franks of the STEP Unit. 559-713-2990

On August 4, 2010 starting at 1000 hours, opening ceremonies for the Orosi Traveling Day Camp 2010 will commence.  This two day event is hosted by the Cub Scouts of America, Boy Scouts of America and the Tulare County Sheriff's Office Explorer program.  The funding for this event was received through a $8,000 grant authorized by the Tulare County Board of Supervisors  The theme of this event is All American Sports.  This event is designed to entice youth between the ages of 7 to 11 and pair them with current Explorers for mentoring and leadership.  Activities include Arts / Crafts, Archery, Camping, Basketball and much more.

Come and join Sheriff Bill Wittman at the Opening Flag Ceremony on Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at 10:00, at Palm Elementary School, 12915 Ave 419
Orosi, CA 93647-1916

For questions regarding this event, please contact
Lt. Gary Chambers  591-5810
Lt. Keith Douglass  735-1825

Detectives with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Gang Violence Suppression Unit patrolled the towns of Cutler and Orosi over the weekend. During their contacts, Detectives arrested 7 subjects for various Penal Code and Vehicle Code violations. They also served 7 arrest warrants, towed two vehicles and identified several possible gang members. All those arrested were booked at the Tulare County main Jail or the Juvenile Detention Facility.

1.) Name: Guillen, Juan Age:21 Resident: Orosi Charges: 166.4 PC

2)  Name: Lopez, Israel Age: 26 Resident: Orosi

   Charges: 166.4 PC

3) Name: Santana, Miguez Age: 20 Resident: Orosi

Charges: 148 PC & Felony Warrant

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

Charges: 243 (b) PC / 148 PC

5) Name: Medina, Felixo Age: 42 Resident: Seville

Charges: Tulare County Misd. Warrant & Kern County Misd. Warrant

6) Name: Fonseca, Miguel Age: 37 Resident: Cutler

Charges: Tulare Co. Misd. Warrant/Fresno Co. Misd. Warrant/San Jose Misd. Warrant

7) Name: Ibarra, Eduardo Age: 21 Resident: Orosi

Charges: 23152 CVC

This case remains under investigation by the Tulare County sheriff

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

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

Persons giving information can remain anonymous