Authorities investigate thefts in Alpaugh area

ALPAUGH — Authorities were kept busy late last week and early this weekend in Alpaugh investigating string of thefts, two involving horses that were reported stolen and later found.

Tulare County Sheriff’s deputies responded at 9:18 a.m. Saturday to the area of Ellis Road and Park Avenue to investigate a reported theft.

John Joe Almanza, 65, of Alpahgh, said someone stole $1,000 worth of tools from his property sometime during the past two days, the Sheriff’s Department reports.

A description of the tools was not released.

Deputies on Friday responded to two calls, both at 8:55 a.m., to investigate a pair of reported thefts.

One call was from the 5300 block of Ellis Road, where Rosa Sastorga of Alpaugh said someone stole a miniature pony from her property, the Sheriff’s Department reports. The loss was estimated at $500.

The animal was later found and returned to Sastorga.

The other call was from the 5400 block of Billing Road, where Juliana Garcia Torres or Alpaugh said someone stole a quarterhorse from her property, the Sheriff’s Department reports. The loss was estimated at $5,000.

The horse was later found and returned to Torres.

-- Contact The Recorder newsroom at 784-5000, Ext. 1043.