Agricultural Crimes Unit Informational Bulletin December 20, 2015 - January 15, 2016 Arrests and Recoveries Avenue 62 and Road 38, Alpaugh: On 12/29/2015, during a parole search located at the property deputies found evidence of a possible chop shop operation. An older John Deere tractor, Model 7200, was found on the property. Through investigations the tractor was found to be stolen from the Corcoran area. The owner was contacted, and with proof of ownership the tractor was released back to the owner. Recovery value of $10,000.00. TCSO Case 15-15929. A second 2012 John Deere tractor, Model 6430, was also located on the property. This tractor was also found reported stolen from the Corcoran area on 12/06/15. The owner was contacted, and with proof of ownership the tractor was released back to the owner. Recovery value of $72,500.00. TCSO Case 15-15928. Other vehicles recovered on the property were a 42 foot 2008 Forrest River, Model Eliminator, vehicle box trailer reported stolen out of Bakersfield on 11/02/2015. Owner identified and trailer was returned. Recovery value of $30,000.00. TCSO Case 15-15930. Recovered a Blue Honda Accord, which had been cut in half and stripped. Reported stolen out of Exeter on 12/06/15. Recovery value $3,500.00. Total recovery for these cases $116,000.00. Anyone with information regarding these types of crimes is asked to contact Det. Jacob Fulton at JFulton@co.tulare.ca.us and/or TCSO Ag Crimes Unit, at 735-1853, regarding these cases. Avenue 432 and Road 96, Dinuba: On 12/29/2015, A TCSO deputy was dispatched to the area in regards to a report of a UTV that had been located in an orange grove. The reporting party advised while checking the grove a Kawasaki Mule had been located. A records search on the VIN/PIN number plate revealed it was stolen from a farming business in Fresno County. The Mule was recovered, identified by the owner, and released back to the owner. Recovery value $3,500.00. Anyone with information regarding these types of crimes is asked to contact detectives with the TCSO Ag Crimes Unit at 735-1853, regarding TCSO case #15-15923/FSO case #15-16645.
Avenue 152, Woodville: Deputies responded to the area for an attempted alfalfa hay report. The reporting party advised seeing a truck with a flatbed trailer leaving the property, but no alfalfa was taken. Deputies at a later time observed a truck pulling a flatbed trailer and conducted a traffic stop. A records check showed the trailer had been reported stolen out of Visalia. The Maxey BTM trailer recovered was worth approximately $5,000.00. Ipolito Maldonado was taken into custody and booked for VC 10851. Case 16-00427. North County Activity Cutler-Orosi/Dinuba area: Avenue 384 and Road 74, Dinuba: On 12/31/2015, Deputies responded to the area for a report of theft. The owner of the business reported between 1430-1730 hours unknown suspect(s) entered the property and stole a new Hilti cordless Combihammer drill (Serial No. 17416), still in the box, located in the back of a service truck while employees were in a meeting. The estimated loss was $1,500.00. Anyone with information regarding these types of crimes is asked to contact detectives with the TCSO Ag Crimes Unit at 735-1853, regarding case 15-15999. Avenue 392 and Road 144, Seville: On 12/31/2015, Deputies were called to the area for a vandalism report. The reporting party stated he noted the fence line was cut near the gate where unknown suspect(s) entered the property leading to the breaker/pump control boxes. The control box doors were open, but nothing was damaged, and no property was taken. The RP stated approximately one month ago they had reported a wire theft in this area. Anyone with information regarding these types of crimes is asked to contact detectives with the TCSO Ag Crimes Unit at 735-1853, regarding case 15-15990. Avenue 384 and Road 12, Kingsburg: Deputies responded to the area for a burglary report. The reporting party stated unknown suspect(s) went through the property and stole several items. Items reported stolen were (2) 12-volt batteries; (15) gallons of Diesel; (8) mixed brands of tires; unknown brand of air compressor with black Honda gas engine; (4) 5-gallon Igloo plastic cans (2 red/2 yellow); (3) Surf low pumps Model #8000-543-235; and an unknown brand 6.5 HP gas engine lawnmower type-red with white fuel tank; (1) 2-gallon plastic fuel can; (2) gallons of gas; and various brands of hand tools. The estimated loss was approximately $2,560.00. Anyone with information regarding these types of crimes is asked to contact detectives with the TCSO Ag Crimes Unit at 735-1853, regarding case 16-00056. Avenue 426 and Road 56, Reedley: On 1/3/2016, Deputies responded to the business for a burglary. The reporting party advised unknown suspect(s) had broken a window and entered the business office, which nothing was stolen from the office. A vehicle on the property had a window broken and stolen from the vehicle were (6-8).45 caliber Wilson Magazines, which held 8 rounds; miscellaneous keys; black metal handcuffs; (1) large portable solar panel used for charging electronics; (1) small solar panel used for charging electronics; Pelican flashlight; and a Surefire flashlight. The estimated loss was approximately $1,176.00, and the estimated damage cost to the vehicle was $2,000.00. Anyone with information regarding these types of crimes is asked to contact detectives with the TCSO Ag Crimes Unit at 735-1853, regarding case 16-00095.
Headquarters (Visalia/Tulare/Exeter) area: Rasmussen Avenue and Road 72, Goshen: On 12/24/205, Deputies responded to the area for a theft report of pallets and a truck. The reporting party stated unknown suspect(s) cut the lock on the gate to the property, stole an unknown amount of new wood pallets, and a white International flatbed truck. The pallets are stamped with a capital D and also the word CSM CANADA. The reporting party stated they had located the stolen truck in the area of Avenue 310 and Road 72. Deputies responded to the location of the truck where it was recovered. The pallets were not at the location with the truck and are still missing. The estimated recovery for the truck was approximately $15,000.00. Anyone with information regarding these types of crimes is asked to contact at Det. Joe Armstrong at JArmstrong@co.tulare.ca.us or 735-1853, regarding case 15-15744. Avenue 260 and Road 140, Visalia: On 12/27/2015, Deputies responded for a burglary report. The reporting party advised of finding a hole cut in the chain link fencing where unknown suspect(s) entered the property then broke into a seatrain container where a Solo walk-behind fertilizer spreader was stolen. Also reported missing were food and a camp stove used by employees. The estimated loss was $220.00. Anyone with information regarding these types of crimes is asked to contact Det. Joe Armstrong at JArmstrong@co.tulare.ca.us or 735-1853, regarding case 15-15834. Avenue 256 and Road 28, Tulare: On 12/29/2015, Deputies responded for a theft report. The reporting party stated a Honda 3000 generator was found to be missing from a seatrain container where it had been stored. The generator is black with a large sticker on the top side which said, Blue Line. The estimated worth is approximately $4,000.00. Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to contact detectives with TCSO Ag Crimes Unit at 735-1853, regarding case 15-15916. Millwood Drive and Road 172, Ivanhoe: On 1/2/2016, Deputies responded to this area for a report of vandalism. The reporting party advised upon arriving to the property he found the six foot high enclosure of chain link fencing cut which surrounds multiple pumps and irrigation equipment. The chain link fencing was cut approximately three feet high from the ground near the gate. No other damage was found, and no property was stolen at this time. The estimate loss for fencing damages was $200.00. Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to contact detectives with TCSO Ag Crimes Unit at 735-1853, regarding case 16-00079. Avenue 224 and Road 130, Tulare: On 1/4/2016, Deputies responded the area for reported theft. The reporting party advised unknown suspect(s) stole a Miller Bobcat 225 amp welder from his truck during the night. The estimated value is $1,500.00. Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to contact detectives with TCSO Ag Crimes Unit at 735-1853, regarding case 16-00142. Meyer Avenue and Road 188, Exeter: On 1/5/2016, Deputies responded to the area for theft report of a John Deere Gator. The reporting party stated while employees were working an unknown suspect stole the JD Gator leaving the property. While a witness was following the suspect on the Gator the suspect leg-bailed and left the Gator behind. The JD Gator was recovered and returned to the owner, valued at $13,000.00. Also stolen from the JD Gator were a white Samsung Galaxy cell phone, cell phone charger, and a Cobra FM radio. The value of the stolen items was $$440.00. Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to contact Det. Ken Jones at KJones1@co.tulare.ca.us or at 735-1853, regarding case 16-00192.
Avenue 246 and Road 140, Visalia: On 1/10/2016, Deputies responded to the area for theft. The reporting party stated when returning to the business this day he found that the locks on (16) lockers had been cut open. The unknown suspect was seen on cameras entering the property, cutting the locks on the lockers, and stealing travel kits prepared for employee truck drivers for their designated routes. The estimated damage was $170.00 to locks. The estimated loss was $990.00 in cash, (6) MasterCard fleet cards used for fuel, and an unknown number of keys to rented trucks. Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to contact detectives with TCSO Ag Crimes Unit at 735-1853, regarding case 16-00390. Avenue 184 and Road 64, Tulare On 1/12/2016, Deputies responded to a call for theft. The reporting party stated they received (25) 50-lb. bags of Advantage Premium Calf Formula on 1/11/2016, six were used for the first feeding, and on 1/12/2016, for the second feeding it was discovered the remaining (19) bags of the calf formula had been stolen. The estimated value of loss was $1,140.00. Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to contact detectives with TCSO Ag Crimes Unit at 735-1853, regarding case 16-00505. Ivanhoe Drive and Road 152, Visalia: On 01/14/2016, Deputies responded to the area for an attempt burglary. The reporting party advised the unknown suspect(s) pushed open a sliding gate and attempted to steal a truck, which was being worked on in addition to additional small items. The truck and items, except for (2) small pumps, were recovered a short distance outside the gate. The loss value was $9,800.00 with a recovery value of $9,000.00. Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to contact detectives with TCSO Ag Crimes Unit at 735-1853, regarding case 16-00567. Avenue 400 and Road 136, Cutler: On 01/15/2016, Deputies responded to area for a reported theft. The reporting party stated unknown suspect(s) entered the property and vandalized (4) windmills and (1) water pump. Two windmills had Centennial commercial batteries, and (150) gallons of red diesel stolen from each windmill; the third had a Centennial battery stolen; and the fourth windmill had 250 gallons of red diesel stolen from it. Also on the property approximately (24) feet of copper wire was taken from a water pump leading to the electrical panel. The estimated value of loss was $3,000.00. Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Joe Armstrong at JArmstrong@co.tulare.ca.us or at 735-1853. Avenue 400 and Road 136, Cutler: On 01/15/2016, Deputies responded to the area of an orange grove for a report of wire theft. The reporting party stated (2) electrical panels had copper wire stolen from them within the last 10 days. The R/P advised (3) strands of 120 feet long of ½ inch copper, and (4) strands of 65 feet of 8-gauge wire were taken from the area. The approximate value for loss and damages to the property were $6,000.00. Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Joe Armstrong at JArmstrong@co.tulare.ca.us or at 735-1853.
South County Activity: Porterville Substation area: Avenue 166 and Road 168, Woodville: On 12/28/2015, Deputies were dispatched to this location in regards to a theft. The reporting party advised unknown persons were stealing hay from the property on three separate occasions as of this time. The reporting party stated on 12/22/2015, suspect(s) cut through the gate and entered the north side of the property and removed a few bales of hay. On 12/24/2015, again suspect(s) cut through the gate on the south side of the property and stole several more bales of hay. On 12/28//2015, the third time, the main gate to the property had been cut and the suspect(s) entered the property and stole (200) bales of Orchard Grass Hay, which belonged to another company storing the hay on this property. The estimated value of hay stolen was $4,000.00. Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to contact Det. Joe Armstrong at JArmstrong@co.tulare.ca.us or 735-1853, regarding case 15-15856. Pixley Substation area: Avenue 128 and Road 120, Tipton: On 12/26/2015, Deputies responded to the area for burglar alarm activation. Deputies discovered unknown suspect(s) had entered the property and stole (2) computer towers. The estimated loss was $500.00. Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to contact detectives with TCSO Ag Crimes Unit at 735-1853, regarding case 15-15821. Avenue 8 and Road 80, Allensworth: On 12/28/2015, Deputies responded to the area for a theft of an unknown brand of generator. The reporting party advised upon returning to the work site he found the generator that was attached to the front bumper of a drilling truck used for drilling irrigation well had been stolen. The estimated loss was approximately $9,000.00. Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to contact detectives with TCSO Ag Crimes Unit at 735-1853, regarding case 15-15873. Avenue 50 and Road 42, Alpaugh: On 12/30/2015, Deputies responded to the area in regards to the suspicious death of (57) sheep. During the night hours the sheepherder heard commotion and observed several dogs chasing the sheep within the pin. He was able to get the dogs away. It is believed the sheep while in distress moved from one parcel of the property to another parcel during the night where they ate fresh alfalfa hay, became bloated, and expired due to their systems being overstressed. Two deceased sheep were taken to UC Davis, Tulare Extension for necropsy to confirm the cause of death. Anyone with information regarding crimes is asked to contact detectives with TCSO Ag Crimes Unit at 735-1853, regarding case 15-15949. Avenue 62 and Road 32, Alpaugh: 1/3/2016, Deputies responded to the area where the reporting party advised between 0800 hours and 1400 hours on this date unknown suspect(s) used hard clods of clay dirt and broke six out of eight windows on the CAT 349E Excavator. The estimated damage to the windows was approximately $3,000.00. Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to contact detectives with TCSO Ag Crimes Unit at 735-1853, regarding case 16-00110.
Avenue 144 and Road 104, Tipton: On 1/10/2016, Deputies responded to theft report. The reporting party advised the alarm sounded and when he returned to the property a window had been broken into the office, the alarm panel damaged, and stolen was a 60- inch LCD Vizio television worth $700.00. The estimated cost of damages was $1,000.00. Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to contact detectives with TCSO Ag Crimes Unit at 735-1853, regarding case 16-00407. Avenue 16 and Road 152, Earlimart: On 01/15/2016, Deputies were dispatched to the area for a reported theft. The reporting party stated suspect(s) cut chain link fencing to enter the property where they stole (3) tailgates and (2) sets of taillights from a stack of Ford F150 truck beds stored on the property. The estimated total loss to be $3,500.00. Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to contact TCSO Ag Crimes detectives at 735-1853, regarding Case 16-00615. Avenue 152 and Road 96, Tipton: On 01/16/2016, Deputies responded to the area for a reported theft. The reporting party advised on 1/11/2016, an unknown Hispanic male adult with a beard arrived on the property to enquire if the company was hiring. After the suspect left a worker reported his jacket and wallet were missing. Again, on 1/16/2016, the subject returned, did not contact workers, and left. A worker then advised his sweater and $30.00 were missing. A video showed the subject in the barn and leaving the property wearing the employees sweater in an older model dark Ford Explorer. Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to contact TCSO Ag Crimes detectives at 735-1853, regarding Case 16-00660. Tulare County Sheriff s Office Agricultural Crimes Unit Office #559-735-1853 Fax #559-737-4620 Dispatch #559-733-6218 1-800-808-0488 E-mail contacts: Lieutenant Joe Campos JCampos@co.tulare.ca.us Sergeant Michael Yandell MYandell@co.tulare.ca.us Detective Kenny Jones Nut, Grape, & Row Crop Liaison KJones1@co.tulare.ca.us Detective Randy Gunderman South Co. Cattle Liaison RGunderman@co.tulare.ca.us Detective Joseph Armstrong North Co. Cattle & Citrus Liaison JArmstrong@co.tulare.ca.us Detective John Nicholson Dairy Liaison JNicholson@co.tulare.ca.us D.A. Investigator Shawn Cardoza Office #559-636-5410 SCardoza@co.tulare.ca.us