Arrest made in July burglary

A 19-year-old Porterville man wanted for questioning regarding a burglary in July was arrested Tuesday.

The man, identified as Eric Perez, was booked at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department Porterville substation on suspicion of burglary and possession of stolen property.

The Porterville Police Department reports Perez had been involved in a residential burglary in the 1600 block of West Grand Avenue in July. Though witnesses had identified Perez as a suspect in the burglary, he had managed to avoid police and was never questioned.

Detectives contacted Perez on Tuesday while he was walking in the area of F Street and Willow Avenue. He was detained and later arrested.

Police say detectives recovered nearly half of the stolen property and it was returned to the victim.

This case, and several other burglaries, is under investigation by the PPD’s General Investigations Unit.

Anyone with information can contact Det. Brett McGowen at 782-7418.