Delano pair caught in rash of Earlimart car burglaries

EARLIMART — Two Delano men were arrested early Tuesday after authorities reportedly found stolen property and a weapon in their car.

Tulare County sheriff’s deputies were dispatched at 4 a.m. to the 300 block of North Muscat Road in Earlimart to investigate a burglary in progress.

Deputies saw the suspect’s vehicle leaving the area and conducted a traffic stop, authorities report.

Jose Manuel Sanchez, 29, of Delano, fled on foot while the driver, Jesus Gutierrez, 33, of Delano, was taken into custody, the Sheriff’s Department reports.

Garcia was caught a block away, hiding near a fence, and was also arrested.

Deputies reportedly found five car stereos and components in the suspects’ vehicle along with a sawed off shotgun, cash, a vehicle LCD drop down television and other items reportedly stolen from five different vehicles.

The recovered property was valued at about $1,500. The victims were identified as Daniel Gonzalez, 27, and Alfredo Garcia, 44, both of Earlimart.

Both Sanchez and Gutierrez are suspected gang members, authorities report. They were booked on suspicion of burglary, possession of stolen property, possession of a sawed off shotgun and theft.

The pair’s arrest cleared a second burglary call received at 10:09 a.m. Tuesday on the 800 block of North Church Road in Earlimart.

Someone broke into two parked vehicles and stole a car stereo, a pack of AA batteries, two garage door openers and a key ring with 10 keys, authorities report. The loss was estimated at $150.

The thefts reportedly occurred between 11 p.m. Monday and 10 a.m. Tuesday. The victims were identified as Ismael Valdovinos and Maria Flores or Earlimart.

Deputies reportedly recovered the batteries and a Sony car stereo when they captured Sanchez and Gutierrez. The property was returned to the victims.

The thefts remain under investigation.

-- Contact The Recorder newsroom at 784-5000, Ext. 1040.